In Memory of the Hero of Ukraine, Junior Sergeant Oleksandr Tymchenko A Moment of Silence 06/06/2026 09:00 Ukrinform Helped the Unit Evade Attack and Repel Enemy Advance
Oleksandr Tymchenko, at the cost of his own life, saved his comrades and, under heavy shelling, armed only with a rifle and grenades, destroyed an enemy armored vehicle and enemy personnel.
He was born on February 18, 1999, in the village of Chemuzivka, Kharkiv region. After graduating from the local school in 2016, the young man worked in the State Emergency Service, but later chose the path of a warrior and joined the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. He served under contract in the Operational Brigade named after the Hero of Ukraine Sergeant Serhiy Mykhalchuk in Hostomel, Kyiv region. At the age of 22, Oleksandr received the rank of sergeant and held the position of squad leader for over a year. From February to April 2020, he carried out combat missions in the Joint Forces Operation zone near the Svitlodarsk bulge in Donetsk region. The junior sergeant commanded respect due to his leadership qualities and was a worthy example for the fighters. Always calm and friendly – this is how commanders and comrades remember him.
On February 23, 2022, on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the operational reserve of the brigade where Oleksandr served was urgently redeployed to Luhansk region. On February 24, the defender joined the repulse of enemy attacks in one of the most dangerous areas of the JFO zone – on the outskirts of Tryokhizbenka. The junior sergeant was performing a combat mission at a observation post and supervised the strengthening of firing positions, preparing to repel the enemy offensive.
On February 26, the defender fought his last battle. Oleksandr led the covering group, which proceeded towards one of the potential enemy routes. Soon, the BTG commander received a report from him: a large column of enemy armored vehicles, including 16 T-72 tanks and several armored personnel carriers, was approaching the destroyed bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River from the direction of occupied Lyman in Donetsk region. The enemy was firing intensively. Ukrainian soldiers began a withdrawal, attempting to halt the occupiers’ advance. Soon, Ukrainian artillery began operating at the coordinates Oleksandr had provided to command. Tymchenko’s group also inflicted losses on the enemy, defending themselves with grenades and rifle fire. Oleksandr took up a firing position, allowing his squad mates to withdraw from the area of engagement. Covering his comrades’ retreat, he disabled one of the combat vehicles by firing bursts from his rifle, stopping it, and then accurately threw a grenade, destroying the armored vehicle with Russian infantry inside. However, a subsequent enemy mine explosion nearby inflicted mortal wounds on the courageous warrior. Oleksandr was 23 years old… He is survived by his wife and parents.
For personal courage and selfless actions, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated February 28, 2022, Junior Sergeant Tymchenko Oleksandr Oleksandrovych was awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree. On March 25, 2022, Oleksandr was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star.
In his native Chemuzivka, a street was named in honor of Oleksandr Tymchenko.
Honor and glory to the Defender!
Tetyana Tyndyk
Photos from the ArmyInform website and the ZmiivLive Facebook page
Materials by: Zmiiv Media, Zmiiv, National Guard, ArmyInform, The Great Ukrainian Encyclopedia
Prepared by the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance and the online media of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine ArmyInform
Memory Kharkiv region War War with Russia Moment of Silence