Ukrainian bodybuilder and father of two children, Yevhen Bondarenko, was killed in combat with Russian occupiers in the Luhansk region. The junior sergeant of the National Guard passed away on May 1.
Yevhen was born on April 25, 1985, in Dniprodzerzhynsk. In 2004, he graduated from the local industrial college. He then served his mandatory military service.
Bondarenko devoted much of his time to sports, a passion he held dear. He was a candidate for Master of Sports in bodybuilding and a genuine supporter of cheerleading.
As much as he could, the athlete supported his wife, Anastasia Dehtyar, a young and talented coach of the All-Ukrainian Cheerleading Federation.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, drawing on his military service experience, Yevhen took up arms to defend Ukrainian land. On February 27, 2022, he joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine and endured many trials on the front lines for over a year.
However, on May 1, during a battle with Russian invaders in Luhansk, the defender from Kamianske was lost.
Yevhen is survived by his loving wife, daughter, son, parents, and sister.