Hero of Ukraine Serhii Kotenko: Remembering the Fallen Defender on His 59th Birthday

Honoring the Memory of Serhii Kotenko

According to Велика українська енциклопедія: July 16, 2026, marked the 59th birthday of Serhii Leonidovych Kotenko, a posthumously awarded Hero of Ukraine. A colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he was actively involved in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Kotenko died on March 9, 2022, near the city of Zaporizhzhia, and was laid to rest in his hometown of Haisyn, Vinnytsia Oblast.

Born on July 16, 1967, in Haisyn, Kotenko graduated from the Kamianets-Podilskyi Higher Military Engineering Command School in 1989. He began his military career in Myrne, Yakutia, and from 1992, he lived with his family in Haisyn. In total, he served in the army for 22 years.

Merits and Awards

From 2014 to 2015, he served as the head of the Haisyn District State Administration but later stepped down from this role to return to active military duty.

For his contributions, Kotenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2022. His memory is honored not only in his hometown but also by all who recognize his dedication and courage in service.

Commemorating Serhii Kotenko serves as a reminder of the heroism and self-sacrifice of Ukrainian soldiers defending the country during wartime.

Observing his birthday underscores the importance of remembering those who gave their lives for Ukraine's independence and encourages society to support the military and their families.

As we reflect on the legacy of Serhii Kotenko, it is important to remember other brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for Ukraine's freedom. For instance, Yurii Kovalenko was another distinguished Hero of Ukraine, who lost his life in the Luhansk region on July 15, 2014. His story, like Kotenko's, exemplifies the courage and dedication of those who fought for their homeland during turbulent times.