The Life and Service of Ivan Shcherbakov
Soldier Ivan Shcherbakov, known by the call sign Yarylo, passed away on September 26, 2024, at a military clinical hospital in Kyiv. His life was cut short due to injuries sustained on September 14, 2024, during a small arms firefight near the village of Terny in the Donetsk region. Born on October 12, 1991, in the village of Pryvilne in Donetsk Oblast, Shcherbakov moved with his family to Mariupol at age seven. There, he attended School No. 37 and trained as an electrical equipment repair mechanic at the Mariupol Professional Metallurgical Lyceum. He also qualified as a welder and worked at the Azovstal steel plant.
In 2015, Ivan completed initial training with the Ukrainian People's Army (UNA-UNSO) and on February 26, 2022, he volunteered to join the 109th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade. He took part in the battles for Mariupol and, on March 17, managed to evacuate his family from occupied territory, navigating through enemy checkpoints. On April 8, 2022, Ivan joined the 'Right Sector' volunteer battalion and was later transferred to the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, where he served as a senior driver in a grenade launcher platoon of a mechanized battalion. His combat record includes fighting for Marinka, as well as operations on the Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and Kramatorsk fronts, and in the Serebryansky forest area.
Remembering Ivan
Ivan Shcherbakov is survived by his mother, two sisters, his wife Yuliia, and a daughter. His sister Anastasiia recalls him:
“My brother was a very creative person. He had a talent for drawing, especially loved painting portraits. As a teenager, he became interested in the art of tattooing and eventually started creating his own works.” – Anastasiia Shcherbakova
She also noted that 'he had a unique, somewhat quirky sense of humor, but his jokes always brought genuine laughter.' His wife Yuliia added: 'We dreamed about the future and made plans. After the victory, he wanted to buy a motorcycle and travel through Ukrainian cities.'
Ivan Shcherbakov was buried at the Alley of Glory in the Krasnopil cemetery in Dnipro. Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians observe a moment of silence to honor all those whose lives have been taken by the Russo-Ukrainian war. Today, we remember Ivan Shcherbakov. Glavcom joins this moment of silence.
The death of Ivan Shcherbakov is another painful reminder of the losses Ukraine has suffered as a result of the war. His heroism, dedication, and personal qualities will leave a lasting imprint on the memories of his family and comrades. Honoring fallen soldiers is a crucial part of national remembrance, reminding society of the price of freedom and peace. As the conflict continues, the memory of heroes like Ivan holds special significance for the Ukrainian people and their struggle for independence.
As the nation mourns the loss of Ivan Shcherbakov, the stories of other brave defenders continue to emerge. For instance, the recent tragedy involving Sergeant Andriy Holovchenko, who was killed in the Donetsk region, highlights the ongoing sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers in the conflict. These accounts not only honor their memory but also shed light on the broader context of the struggle for freedom and peace in the region.