November 25, 2023
Paratrooper Yuriy Borychenko passed away at Kyiv Hospital on November 25, 2023. While on a combat mission near the city of Makiivka, Donetsk Oblast, on October 31, he sustained severe injuries from artillery shelling. Despite the doctors’ efforts, the warrior’s heart stopped beating. He was 35 years old.
Yuriy hailed from the village of Vyshnivets in Ternopil Oblast. He attended the local school and graduated from the Kyiv National University of Internal Affairs in 2010, earning a degree in Law. He was passionate about sports, professionally practicing mixed martial arts (MMA), representing Ukraine and winning awards at European competitions.
The full-scale war caught Yuriy abroad – in Portugal, where he had lived and worked for over 10 years. However, he decided to return to his homeland and defend it. On June 29, 2023, he joined the ranks of defenders. After training at the National Academy of Ground Forces in Lviv, he was appointed as a sergeant in the 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“Yuriy was friendly, fair, and honest. Those who knew him say that people like him are extremely rare,” noted his relatives.
“Yuriy lived and worked abroad. But his heart was in Ukraine. He loved his town, the people living in it, his relatives, and friends. Probably, that’s why Yuri came to defend Ukraine and each of us. Unfortunately, Yuriy was seriously injured on the front. How many prayers his mother said for his health, how many tears she shed… But now a silent candle has burned out, and Yuriy will watch over his dear people from heaven,” wrote the villagers.
The defender was laid to rest in his hometown.
At home, Yuriy’s parents and sister awaited his return.