Serhiy Kotenko

Serhiy Leonidovych Kotenko (?, Gaisin, Vinnytsia Region, Ukrainian SSR, USSR - March 9, 2022, near Zaporizhia, Ukraine) - Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participant in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Hero of Ukraine (March 16, 2022, posthumously).

Biography
Serhiy Kotenko was born in Haisyn, Vinnytsia Region.

He graduated from Kamyanets-Podilsky Higher Military Engineering Command School. He served in the army for 22 years.

In 2014-2015, he headed the Haisyn Regional State Administration, and later returned to military service. Commander of the 9th Battalion of the Vinnytsia Scythians.

From February 24, 2022 he took part in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Thanks to his courageous actions and personal determination, several columns of enemy equipment were destroyed.

He died on March 9, 2022 in a battle with the Russian occupiers near Zaporozhye. He was buried on March 11 in the town of Haisyn, Vinnytsia region. Two days before that, in battles near Nikolaev, his brother - Alexander Kotenko who served in the Aidar battalion was lost.

Awards
the title of "Hero of Ukraine" with the Order of the Golden Star (2022, posthumously) - for personal courage and heroism shown in defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath.
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree (2019) - for significant personal merits in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, civic courage, dedication to upholding the constitutional principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms, significant contribution to cultural and educational development, active volunteering.