August 16, 2023
National Guard soldier Bogdan Strelnikov was killed on August 16, 2023, during the assault on the forest strip and fortifications near the village of Robotino in the Zaporizhzhia region. The soldier was 21 years old.
Bogdan was born in the village of Palanka in the Cherkasy region. When he was one year old, he became an orphan. The boy was taken in by his grandmother, who raised him. Since then, he lived in the town of Bershad in the Vinnytsia region. He graduated from Bershad Secondary School No. 2. He then studied to be a paramedic at the Zabolotny Academic Vinnytsia Medical College.
In 2021, the young man decided to join the army. He enlisted in the National Guard of Ukraine. He served in military unit 3027, later transferred to military unit 3008, where he signed a contract for military service. With the words “Grandma, who else but me?” on November 1, 2021, he set off to the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone near the town of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region. After that, he was awarded the breast badge “Participant of the ATO” (Anti-Terrorist Operation).
With the start of full-scale invasion, Bogdan participated in combat operations in the Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions. Later, he was redirected to the outskirts of the town of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. He was wounded but did not leave his comrades and continued to serve in the 14th Assault Brigade of the NGU “Chervona Kalyna” (Red Viburnum). He was a senior machine gunner and always bravely went into battle.
“At such a young age, Bogdan fought against the occupiers for two years. Until his last breath, he remained faithful to his oath and Motherland. He always wanted to be a soldier and dreamed of entering a military academy. Bogdan Serhiyovych is an example of true patriotism and a Hero of Ukraine. Because, being an orphan, he did not hesitate to go and defend his Ukraine,” wrote his grandmother Valentyna Ivanivna.
“Bogdan was a very sociable and friendly guy. He not only served in the military but also tried to raise funds to improve the material support of his unit… Young, brave warrior, defender Strelnikov Bogdan Serhiyovych gave the most valuable thing – his own life, for peace, for a free future, for independence, for each of us, for Ukraine! His loss is a heavy blow to the family, friends, loved ones, and the entire community. May his example inspire us to actions aimed at peace and security,” added the Bershad City Council.
The young warrior was buried in the town of Bershad.
Bogdan is survived by his grandmother, brother, relatives, friends, and comrades.