In memory of the scientist Andrii Semenovych, known by his call sign "Professor."
Andriy Semenovych, a lecturer at the National University "Ostroh Academy," a driver of the machine gun platoon of the rifle company of the 128th separate mountain assault brigade from Zakarpattia, with the call sign "Professor," was killed on February 11, 2023, near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. For several months, there was no contact with him, so his family and friends hoped that the warrior was alive.
1 Andriy lived between two towns – Ostroh in Rivne region, where he grew up, studied, and worked, and the neighboring Netishyn in Khmelnytskyi region, where his home, wife, and children were located.
He graduated from the National University "Ostroh Academy" and dedicated many years of his life to this educational institution. He began his career as a trainee lecturer and eventually became an associate professor in the Department of International Relations.
2 At the university, he defended his candidate thesis on the euro-integration of the Visegrad Group countries and taught students courses on the political history of Central and Eastern European countries, international relations, and political science. He often participated in scientific conferences in Poland and Netishyn, where discussions about nuclear energy took place.
3 Moreover, many graduates of Ostroh Academy remember Andriy Semenovych as the owner of a small service center "Vivat," where students would print their essays, term papers, and theses, as well as make photocopies of materials for seminars. The student queue in the corridor near the center quickly dispersed, as Andriy and his colleagues managed to assist everyone efficiently and effectively during breaks. For some students, "Vivat" was their first job, as Andriy willingly allowed them to work part-time.
4 “I have never met such positive and bright people. You could instantly make friends anywhere. Did anyone realize that such a friend had to be earned? Probably not. He was bright, energetic, sensitive, and always ready to help everyone,” - recalls his friend Serhiy Rudko about the Hero.
According to him, it was always interesting to talk with Andriy about movies playing in theaters, books, discussing business ideas, and simply enjoying a cup of coffee together.
5 On the evening of February 24, 2022, Andriy received a summons. Initially, he served in the security company of the TCK and SP in Netishyn, and later he was transferred to the 128th brigade. After the training center, the serviceman carried out assignments on the border of Rivne region, and later in Kherson region, in Soledar, near Kramatorsk, and defended Bakhmut.
6 On the warrior's social media page, there are many photos and videos from the front lines. He showcased the realities of war and shared stories amidst the sounds of shelling. Andriy thanked volunteers for the purchased thermal imager, and in one of his posts, he emphasized: "You can’t imagine the happiness of coming out alive, even though you feel like a beaten dog, and finding yourself in a sauna on New Year's Eve to wash, do laundry, get a haircut, and just relax."
He signed his last published photo with the words: "It's hot in Bakhmut right now." In the fight for this city, Andriy gave his life.
7 On February 11, 2023, the serviceman last wrote to his wife that due to an explosion, shrapnel had hit his head and he, along with his comrades, was heading to medics. In an instant, the Russians struck the evacuation vehicle that Andriy was traveling in with a guided anti-tank missile.
When family and friends received news of his disappearance, they began searching for him. Information about his death appeared in May.
8 “He was a person of encyclopedic knowledge, loved reading the books we sent him. He read in the trenches, on the road, anywhere. A person who wouldn’t harm a mouse in the dugout. He was a wall for his family, for his country, for all of us. We would ask him: ‘How many occupiers have you killed?’ to which he replied: ‘We don’t kill; we destroy the enemy, while they kill us.’ Every time "Professor" was on leave, he would come to our headquarters. He would sit for hours, sharing what he experienced, what he saw, what he heard. He spoke about the war, about losses and gains, about soldiers and civilians. He shared impressions of the battles in which he managed to survive and bring his people out. He was proud of what he did! And we were proud to have such a friend, a Hero, a brother,” - shared her memories volunteer Kateryna Yanovych.
9 According to the acquaintance of the warrior, Olha Matrosova, Andriy was a kind, intelligent, smart, and determined person, who would have been one of those to help revive Ukraine.
Not long before the full-scale war, Andriy's family purchased a home. He dreamed of hosting a housewarming party and inviting his friends. However, those who loved and valued the warrior gathered for a farewell with him, which took place in the towns dear to his heart, Netishyn and Ostroh.
0 Eternal memory to the Hero!
Photo: Facebook page of Andriy Semenovych, Day by Day