"SKY"

Ihor was born in the settlement of Bezliudivka, where he also lived. In 1994, at the age of seven, he started school No. 12 in the city of Kharkiv and studied there until 2001. In 2001, he enrolled in KhETTB (Kharkiv Electromechanical Technical College of Transport Construction), where he earned the specialty of Auto Electrician. After graduation, he worked for a company. He did not complete mandatory service in the Armed Forces, but volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine almost from the first days. Ihor was always the life of the party and the best, most loving son—he deeply honored and respected his parents. He was the best brother in the world: even though he was younger, with him you felt as if behind a stone wall. He was also a wonderful uncle to his nephew, of whom he was also the godfather. Yaroslav adored his uncle and godfather—and Ihor adored him in return. They could spend hours playing and fooling around like little kids. Ihor also taught Yaroslav to be a real man—to play football and to train in boxing. In the evenings, the whole family would gather, talk for hours about any topic, discuss things, and always listened to his opinion—because he could answer any question, suggest a solution, and help sort things out. He was married—unfortunately, they did not have children. He truly loved life, nature, and his dog named Fox. He also loved Bezliudivka, where he could rest from the city’s worries and relax in spirit. He loved fishing, playing football, and driving. He always fixed everything himself. For his friends, Ihor was an example: he would help in any situation and at any time, even if he had his own matters to attend to. He was a true patriot of his country, his city, and his home settlement. When Russia’s full-scale invasion began, he first volunteered to help build and укреплювати checkpoints. Then, in April 2022, he persistently appealed to the settlement council to be enlisted voluntarily into the army. On his third attempt, he was accepted—on 19 April 2022. On 20 April, he left with his belongings for training from Nova Vodolaha to Chernihiv, to Desna, where he trained as a mortarman. After training, they were deployed to Donetsk region. Later, he took part in the liberation of Kharkiv region (Izium) and also served on the “zero” positions toward Lyman in Donetsk region, directly participating in combat operations. Soldier Kovalenko Ihor Volodymyrovych served in military unit A7014: 2nd mortar platoon of the 3rd mortar battery of the 2nd mechanized battalion (military unit A7014). Mortarman of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Mstyslav the Brave. Operational-Tactical Group “Donetsk” of the Operational-Strategic Group of Forces “Khortytsia”. He was killed on 28.09.2022 at 10:00 a.m. in the settlement of Donetske, Donetsk region, Kramatorsk district—two days before the liberation of Lyman. At the place of Ihor’s death, his brothers-in-arms installed a memorial plaque for him. In Lyman itself, a memorial was opened for the fallen soldiers of the 66th Mechanized Brigade and the Territorial Defense Forces. Ihor Kovalenko was buried in the settlement of Bezliudivka, at the Nahorivske Cemetery—near the quarry he loved so much. He was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class (Decree of the President of Ukraine dated 07 February 2023). Tereshchenko Volodymyr Oleksandrovych — his best friend, kum, and a volunteer who helped Ihor from the first days of the war and now supports the 66th Mechanized Brigade and other brigades defending our country: “I’m not a man of many words… The first thing that comes to mind when I remember my best friend Ihor is that he was REAL… Real in everything! A real friend, a real patriot, a real fighter!!! Brave and principled! The one who would come to help in any situation and at any time.” Onyshchenko Olha Mykolaivna — his aunt: “I could speak about my nephew, Ihor Kovalenko, for a long time. Many kind, sincere words can be said; he did many good deeds in his short life. When I read the poem ‘Wings’ by our renowned poet Lina Kostenko, I see our Ihor—everything there is about him! He had those wings: in faithfulness in love, and in an eternal drive—because he could not sit at home and wait. From the first days of the war, he helped defend the city; then, voluntarily, even without any military experience, he went to the army to defend his family and his country. He was genuine in his work—helped everyone, quick-witted, with golden hands. He was generous with care—always worried about family and friends when they had troubles. And our Ihor was cheerful and sociable—always smiling and kind! And symbolically, his call sign was SKY—‘the sky.’ He had wings, and he had an inner backbone in life! How bitter, how painful it is that Ihor is no longer with us—only in memories, only in thoughts… A deep bow to his grieving mother who raised such a son!” Onyshchenko Valerii Mykhailovych — his cousin, who was a moral and financial support for Ihor when he volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine: “His smile… that’s the first thing I remember. He was younger. I joked, and he laughed a lot. We grew up—he became brave and mature. But humor and jokes were always our companions. Even when he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he didn’t betray his cheerful nature—because whoever laughs has no time to be afraid. A true Cossack of our era.” Kovalenko Kateryna Mykolaivna — his mother: “For me, as a mother, my son is the very best. He was—and is—my helper, and he always will be, even in my thoughts. He valued family deeply. He was a master with his golden hands. He had no bad habits. He could install windows in the house, fix a computer. My child loved life very much. But without sparing his life, he went to protect us and our country. We raised a good son—but such was God’s will.”