"LANCELOT"

Artur was born on 22 August 2004 in Kryvyi Rih. He studied at Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium No. 29. After school, he enrolled in a construction technical college and later at the Odesa Military Academy. However, with the beginning of the full-scale war, he decided to leave his studies and devote himself to service in the Ukrainian military. From a young age, he devoted much attention to sports, particularly boxing and kickboxing. He loved cinema, enjoyed watching films and series, and was also interested in cooking. Artur was a man with a generous heart. Always ready to help others, he could give away his last possession without thinking of himself. Family held a special place in his life—no matter the circumstances, he stayed in contact with his relatives and loved ones. He was distinguished by resilience, persistence, and an unbreakable character: he did not retreat in the face of difficulties, but moved forward with confidence. As a teenager, Artur became interested in the history of Ukraine, the right-wing movement, and military affairs, especially the events of the Maidan and the ATO. His cousin, who was involved in the nationalist movement, played a major role in shaping these views. “An important influence on Artur’s worldview was the book Valhalla Express by a volunteer with the call sign ‘Voland,’ who at the time served in the Azov Battalion. After reading it, he finally decided to dedicate himself to military service and the defense of the Ukrainian Nation,” his brother recalls. In December 2022, at the age of 18, he began serving in the 17th Separate Tank Brigade. He took part in the well-known Bakhmut campaign. In the winter of 2026, Artur transferred to the 127th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade “Kharkivska” on the Vovchansk axis, where he received the call sign “LANCELOT,” after the famous knight of European legend. His brothers-in-arms remember him as a true hunter of the enemy—brave, decisive, and fearless, known for his ferocity in battle. During his service, he repeatedly eliminated enemy soldiers and took prisoners while successfully carrying out frontline combat missions. On 26 May 2026, Artur “LANCELOT” Leshchenko was killed in a firefight with Russian forces on the Vovchansk axis near the settlement of Lyman in Kharkiv Oblast. TO BE A WARRIOR IS TO LIVE FOREVER! VOVCHANSK FOREST SPIRIT!