Taras and Pavlo Senkiv were born in the village of Mokrotyn in the Lviv region. Pavlo was born on 19 July 1989, and Taras on 15 September 1991. Their childhood was not easy: when the brothers were very young, they lost their mother. Their mother’s own sister, Maria, took over the children’s upbringing and became their second mother. Together with her daughter Olya, she surrounded the boys with love and care.
The boys grew up active, friendly and always supported each other. Pavlo was fond of sports, so after school he entered the Ivano-Frankivsk College of Physical Education. Taras chose a different path – he studied at the Lviv Railway College, after which he worked as a train inspector and a carriage electrician.
Life before the war
Adult life took the brothers on different paths. Pavlo worked in Poland for some time to help his family, while Taras stayed in Ukraine, working in his field of study. They made plans and dreamed of a happy future. But the events of 2014 changed everything.
In defence of his homeland
When the war in eastern Ukraine broke out in 2014, Taras was one of the first to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a volunteer. Pavlo, not wanting to leave his brother alone, also joined the defenders. With the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the brothers again stood up to defend the country.
Pavlo’s last battle
Pavlo served in the 53rd Separate Mechanised Brigade. He went through fierce battles for Bakhmut and Avdiivka, was wounded, but did not give up the fight. For the defence of Bakhmut, he was awarded the Golden Cross by Valeriy Zaluzhnyi.
On 20 December 2023, while performing a combat mission near Avdiivka, Pavlo went missing. His comrades-in-arms recall that he was wounded and tried to get to an evacuation point, but enemy artillery destroyed his chances of survival.
The family is still waiting for news, although they know the bitter truth in their hearts.
Taras’s last battle
Taras Senkiv served in the 24th separate mechanised brigade named after King Danylo. His combat path took him through the hottest spots of the frontline: Popasna, Zolote, Kherson, Mayorsk, Chasiv Yar. He survived the encirclement in Zolote, where he and his unit successfully broke out of the ring, took part in the assaults near David’s Brod and the defence of Mayorsk, where he was concussed and wounded twice.
In 2024, Taras was defending Toretsk and New York in Donetsk Oblast. For his courage, he received a number of awards, including the Golden Cross medal from Valeriy Zaluzhnyi and an honorary award from the mayor of Zhovkva.
Taras’s last battle took place on the night of 7-8 January 2025 near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, when his unit was on rotation. An enemy FPV drone hit the vehicle Taras was driving. After the drone hit, 4 of his comrades escaped, while two remained to save Taras, who was already wounded. But they were attacked again. Three brothers who had been together since 2022 also gave their lives for the freedom of the Ukrainian people.
On 15 February, Taras’s family received the news they had been waiting for – the defender’s body was evacuated. He is being brought home
Taras dreamed of a family and a happy future. After leaving the service, he planned to marry his beloved Natalia. But the war interrupted his plans.
His friends and colleagues remember Taras as a man who always helped, was a source of kindness and positivity. He remained loyal to Ukraine until his last breath.
Eternal memory to the Heroes
Pavlo and Taras Senkiv were not only brothers, but also inseparable friends who lived their lives together and stood together to defend their homeland. Their choice to fight for Ukraine instead of living a peaceful life remains a sacred feat.
Their story is a pain that will forever remain in our hearts and a memory that we have no right to forget. Eternal glory to the Heroes who gave their lives for our freedom!