Police Major, former commander of the battalion 'Kharkiv-1'. Let's remember Serhiy Yanholenko.

Every day at 9 am, Ukrainians honor the memory of all those whose lives were taken by the Russo-Ukrainian war. Today we remember Serhiy Yanholenko. 

Police Major, volunteer Serhiy Yanholenko, call sign Skif, was killed in battle on March 25, 2022, during the liberation of the village of Mala Rohan in Kharkiv region from Russian occupiers. While carrying out the task, his group engaged in combat with the enemy and came under heavy artillery fire, phosphorus, and cluster bombs. This was reported by 'Hromadske'. 

Serhiy was born in the village of Lypkuvativka in Kharkiv region and lived in Kharkiv. He graduated from Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs with degrees in 'Law' and 'Psychology'. He dedicated his entire life to law enforcement and security structures. He was interested in the ancient history of Ukraine, the Scythian period, and Cossack heritage. He practiced kickboxing.

In 2013, during the command of the Kharkiv Berkuts by Commander Lukash, one of those who led the shootings on Maidan, brothers Serhiy and Andriy Yanholenko refused to go on a business trip to Kyiv and remained in Kharkiv.

After the return of the Kharkiv Berkut from Maidan in early 2014, the Yanholenko brothers officially opposed Commander Lukash at the battalion formation and took up arms against the Berkut crowd. The brothers defended the Kharkiv Regional State Administration from supporters of the anti-Maidan and, together with self-defense forces, prevented the formation of 'KhNRA' in their native Kharkiv.

On April 14, 2014, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov signed an order to create two battalions 'Kharkiv-1' and 'Slobozhanshchyna' due to the beginning of the ATO in eastern Ukraine. Yanholenko was appointed commander of the special patrol police battalion 'Kharkiv-1', and his brother Andriy was appointed to 'Slobozhanshchyna'. 

After stabilizing the situation in Kharkiv, in June 2014, the battalions 'Kharkiv-1' and 'Slobozhanshchyna' were sent on a mission to the city of Kupiansk. In August 2014, during the active phase of battles for Ilovaisk, the battalions were sent to Donetsk region.

From August 26 to 28, 2014, 'Kharkiv-1' and 'Slobozhanshchyna' were tasked with taking control of the city of Volnovakha and establishing a foothold there. The battalions, with a total personnel of 50, occupied the city and organized defense. Volnovakha remained under Ukrainian control, along with adjacent territories. 

From 2018 to 2022, Serhiy Yanholenko worked in the Main Department of the National Police of Ukraine in Donetsk region at the Druzhkivka police station.

On February 24, 2022, Yanholenko joined the volunteer battalion 'Slobozhanshchyna' and defended Kharkiv region.

The defender was awarded several honors, including the medal 'For Military Service to Ukraine', a commemorative weapon from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the award from the President of Ukraine 'For Defense of Ukraine' (posthumously), and the award 'For Honor and Valor' (posthumously) from the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk.

'Serhiy was a wonderful father and husband. He spared no effort or Time for his children. He loved his volunteer fighters of the MIA battalion 'Kharkiv-1' like a father,' said his wife.

The warrior was buried at the Glory Alley of cemetery No. 18 in Kharkiv.

Serhiy Yanholenko is survived by his mother Natalia Stepanivna, wife Olga, five-year-old daughter Sofia, and son Sviatoslav, who was not yet a year old at the time of his father's death.

'Hromadske' joins in a minute of silence. We honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died fighting for their homeland. We remember those who were killed by Russian invaders, light candles of remembrance, and bow our heads in mourning during the nationwide minute of silence, honoring the bright memory of citizens of Ukraine who gave their lives for freedom and independence of the state: all military personnel, civilians, and children, all who died in the struggle against Russian occupiers and as a result of the attack of hostile forces on Ukrainian cities and villages.