In memory of the commander of the rifle company, Serhiy Vdovin (callsign "Pilot").
Sergiy was born on September 12, 1991, in Odesa. His family had a strong connection to the skies: his grandfather worked as an aviation technician for many years, and his father was a civil aviation pilot. His mother was a surgeon at a children's hospital and taught the subject "Medical Training" at the Odesa Institute of National Economy.
7 In 2009, he graduated from specialized school No. 86 with an emphasis on English language studies. According to his class teacher, Tetiana Volodymyrivna, Sergiy had remarkable abilities in both natural sciences and humanities.
8 Classmates described him as exceptionally sincere, kind, cheerful, balanced, and tolerant. It seemed he didn't even know how to hold a grudge, as he never offended anyone himself.
9 After school, Sergiy studied at the Odesa Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training. He always dreamed of becoming a pilot. Thus, he enrolled in and successfully graduated from the Flight Operation Faculty of the Flight Academy of the National Aviation University in 2014.
0 Throughout his studies, he served as the senior course sergeant. He also studied at the military training department under the reserve officer program.
1 Later, Sergiy continued his practical training at a private aviation school in Mykolaiv and gained the required flight hours to secure employment with an airline.
2 “He worked as a pilot for about six years, becoming a true professional in his field. He loved the sky and life immensely. On the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his homeland and family from the occupiers,” they shared at the Flight Academy.
3 Sergiy served as the commander of a rifle company. For successfully completing combat missions, he was awarded the Honorary Badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine "Silver Cross" and a commemorative badge from the commander of the 122nd Separate Brigade "In Defense and Protection."
4 32-year-old Captain Sergiy Vdovin was killed on July 11, 2024, near the settlement of Netailove in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region.
5 “Captain Vdovin Sergiy Serhiyovych was a brave warrior, a true patriot, and a company commander who dedicated his life to defending our Motherland. He died while carrying out a combat mission in Donetsk. His dedication, courage, and determination were always an example for all who knew him. He was not just a commander, but a leader who always led from the front, inspiring his comrades to fight, and his name will forever be etched in our hearts,” reported the news of his death from the 122nd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade on Facebook.
6 Sergiy's close friend Volodymyr Halayim wrote about him: “You were a man of your word and someone you could always rely on. It is incredibly hard to accept the fact that you are no longer with us. Honor and glory to the hero!”
7 The commander of the unit where Sergiy served remembered the warrior as follows: “During his service as a platoon commander, he demonstrated impressive leadership skills and tactical prowess, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of his unit. The combat path of the 'Pilot' was filled with heroic deeds and unwavering dedication. We will remember him as a Hero who fought for peace and freedom until his last breath. Eternal memory and glory to the fallen defender.”
His family is left without their loved one: Sergiy was a loving son, brother, husband, and father.
8 9 The fallen warrior was bid farewell on July 26, 2024, in Kropyvnytskyi. Sergiy Vdovin is buried at the Glory Alley of the Far Eastern Cemetery.
Honor to the Hero!
Photo: Ukrainian State Flight Academy, Public Broadcasting