The Zhovkva community bid farewell to 34-year-old serviceman Pavlo Senkiv from the village of Mokrotyn in the Lviv region. This loss is made especially painful by the fact that a year ago the community had already bid farewell to his brother Taras Senkiv, who also gave his life for Ukraine.
Pavlo Senkiv was a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation in 2014–2015. After spending several years abroad, he returned to Ukraine and voluntarily joined the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. The soldier defended the state in the hottest sectors of the front, in particular in the areas of Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
As officially confirmed, the defender was killed on December 20, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. For more than two years, his relatives, friends, and the entire community lived in hope of his return, but the news of the Hero’s death became a terrible blow for his loved ones.
For his courage and service, Pavlo Senkiv was awarded combat decorations. Among them are the “Cross for the Battles of Bakhmut” and the medal “For Participation in Combat Operations”.
The farewell to the defender took place in Zhovkva. After the ceremony in the central square, the funeral procession departed for the church in the village of Mokrotyn, where the burial service was held.
The story of two brothers who stood up to defend Ukraine
Pavlo and Taras Senkiv were born and raised in the village of Mokrotyn. Pavlo was born on July 19, 1989, and Taras on September 15, 1991. Their childhood was not easy, as the brothers lost their mother at an early age. Their mother’s sister, Mariia, took care of the children and effectively became a second mother to them. Together with her daughter Olia, she raised the boys in love, support, and respect for family values.
From childhood, the brothers were close, active, and always stayed together. Pavlo was passionate about sports and after school enrolled at the Ivano-Frankivsk College of Physical Education. Taras chose a technical profession — he studied at the Lviv Railway Technical School and later worked as a wagon inspector and electrician.
Before the start of the full-scale war, their lives unfolded differently. Pavlo worked in Poland for some time, helping the family, while Taras remained in Ukraine and worked in his specialty. Despite their different paths, both brothers were united by a strong bond, love for their family, and readiness to defend their country.
Pavlo Senkiv’s combat path
When hostilities began in eastern Ukraine in 2014, the brothers did not stand aside. Taras was among the first to join the defense of the state, and Pavlo also stood up to defend the homeland. With the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, they took up arms again.
Pavlo served in the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. He fought in heavy battles, particularly in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka directions, was wounded, but continued to carry out combat missions. For the defense of Bakhmut, the defender received the Golden Cross from Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
On December 20, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the Avdiivka area, Pavlo went missing. According to the recollections of his brothers-in-arms, even while wounded, he tried to reach the evacuation point. However, due to enemy artillery fire, he could not be saved.
A year ago, the Zhovkva area bid farewell to Pavlo’s brother — Taras Senkiv
The tragedy of the Senkiv family became even more painful because this was already the second loss of a son in the war. In February last year, the Zhovkva community welcomed back on a shield Pavlo’s brother — Taras Senkiv.
Taras served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo. His combat path passed through Popasna, Zolote, the Kherson region, Maiorsk, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and New York in the Donetsk region. He survived encirclement, took part in assault operations, suffered a concussion, and was wounded twice, but remained in the ranks.
For his service, Taras was awarded:
- the Golden Cross medal from Valerii Zaluzhnyi;
- the honorary distinction of the Zhovkva mayor;
- other combat awards for courage and devotion to Ukraine.
His last battle took place on the night of January 7–8, 2025, near Orikhovo-Vasylivka. During a rotation, an enemy FPV drone struck the vehicle Taras was driving. Some of the servicemen managed to escape, but a second attack claimed the lives of several brothers-in-arms, including Taras.
On February 15, the family received the long-awaited and at the same time terrible news — the soldier’s body had been successfully evacuated. Thus, the Zhovkva area was able to достойно see off another of its Heroes on his final journey.
An irreparable loss for the family and the community
Relatives, friends, brothers-in-arms, and community residents remember Pavlo and Taras as sincere, kind, and devoted people who remained faithful to Ukraine to the very end. Both brothers dreamed of a peaceful life, a family, and a future, but the war shattered those plans.
Today, the Senkiv family is experiencing indescribable pain, having lost two sons in the war. The Zhovkva community expresses sincere condolences to mother Mariia, the sister, the cousin brother and sister, nephews, all relatives, loved ones, friends, and brothers-in-arms of the fallen soldiers.
The memory of Pavlo and Taras Senkiv will forever remain in the hearts of their fellow countrymen as an example of brotherhood, courage, and sacrifice for the sake of Ukraine.