On 25 October, Yurii Ilchenko died in hospital from severe wounds sustained in a shelling attack. He was the watch commander of the 20th State Fire and Rescue Unit and a captain in the Civil Protection Service.
Doctors fought for his life for five days, but were unable to save the rescuer. Yurii Ilchenko died five days before his 44th birthday.
He is survived by his wife and two children — a minor daughter and an 18-year-old son. For his family and colleagues, the death of Yurii Ilchenko is a grievous loss.
He devoted more than 21 years of service to fire and rescue work, rising through the ranks from firefighter to watch commander. During this time, he responded to hundreds of call-outs, endured arduous shifts and saved lives.
For his courage and dedication to duty, Yurii Ilchenko was awarded the Presidential decoration of Ukraine “For the Defence of Ukraine”, as well as the breast badges “For Courage in an Emergency” and “Badge of Honour”. Blessed be the memory of the rescuer and eternal respect for the years he devoted to saving others.