"SKIF"

Artem was born in the village of Pishchanka, Zhytomyr Oblast. He spent his childhood and youth in the town of Vysoka Pich. In 2020, he graduated from the Malyn Forestry Technical College with a qualification in forestry and later received a diploma in mechanics. From childhood, Artem was active and tried many different pursuits. He learned to play guitar and piano, played football, and danced. He loved forests, nature, fishing, and traveling around Ukraine by car. He always had many friends and was the life of the company, easily finding common ground with everyone. He was sincere, kind, and persistent, wanted to achieve everything on his own, and was always the first to help others. In 2018, Artem moved to Zhytomyr and, while studying, began his career at EasyPay. In 2022, he lived in Poland for a time, where he worked and studied. When the full-scale war began, he immediately decided to return home and join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Artem was not able to enter military service right away, so he began volunteering: clearing rubble, delivering humanitarian aid, and helping wherever he was needed. Yet defending his homeland remained his main goal. At the end of 2022, at the age of 21, Artem began serving with the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade and received the call sign “SKIF.” The idea came from his platoon commander, inspired by the Scythians, who were a political and military elite. As an infantryman, he defended positions and took part in fierce battles for Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. Artem was not simply a brother-in-arms but a true friend to his fellow soldiers. They could rely on him in the most difficult situations. His brothers-in-arms were like family to him, and he always cared about each of them. Later, Artem served for a time at the 199th Training Center of the Air Assault Forces, where he worked as an instructor and passed his combat experience on to new recruits. In 2024, he enrolled at Polissia National University and dreamed of earning a higher education. Above all, however, he wanted to develop his military career and continue serving after the war ended. In November 2024, Artem returned to the front with the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade. He served as a technician and crew member in the 2nd Artillery Platoon of the artillery battery of the 1st Airmobile Battalion, and later became a senior gunner. He defended positions in Donetsk Oblast and later in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Working as a gunner on a D-30 howitzer was not easy, but Artem was not someone who gave up. He studied, trained persistently, and brought his skills to a high level. He carried out his duties without unnecessary argument, and with his optimism and belief in the best, he supported his brothers-in-arms and became a dependable assistant to his commander. In May, Artem was wounded in combat. He refused prolonged rehabilitation and returned to the front because he knew his brothers-in-arms remained in difficult conditions and needed reinforcement. For Artem, this was not simply a duty but a responsibility to his own people. During his service he said, “I love everyone, I regret nothing,” words that reflected his large, sincere heart and strength of spirit. On the morning of 8 August 2025, Artem and a brother-in-arms set out in the village of Novopavlivka, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, to rescue wounded soldiers from their unit. They never reached them—their group was struck by an enemy drone. The Hero will forever be 23. Artem was buried in his native village of Pishchanka in Zhytomyr Oblast. He left behind his mother, younger brother, fiancée, and a large family. He was awarded the “War Veteran” medal and the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class (posthumously), on 12 November 2025 for personal courage, heroism, and self-sacrifice. Artem was not only a brave warrior. He was, and forever remains, a caring partner, loving son and brother, reliable friend, and true brother-in-arms. He will live forever in the memory of everyone who knew him.