As part of the "Lighting Memories" initiative, launched by the public organization "Order of St. Panteleimon" with the support of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, every Friday at 10:00 a.m. we remember the medical workers who died as a result of the Russian Federation's armed aggression.
For military doctor Serhiy Chelpan and his family, March 1 was a holiday filled with love for their father, husband, and son. But in 2025, this day became tragic, as it took the life of a wonderful doctor and great patriot of Ukraine, who voluntarily went to defend his country from the very first days of the war.
Serhiy Chelpan was born in the village of Pryseymya in the Sumy region. In 1978, he and his family moved to Bakhmut, where Serhiy attended a local school. He obtained his degree in dentistry from Donetsk State Medical University. From 1997, he worked as a dentist-therapist at the Chasovoyarsk City Hospital for Planned Treatment.
With the start of the full-scale invasion, he voluntarily joined the army. He was convinced that he had to defend his home, family, city, and country. On March 9, 2022, he was assigned to the 104th Separate Battalion of Territorial Defense of Bakhmut.
"From the very first days, he volunteered to defend his native Bakhmut and was in hot spots. We hardly saw our father for three years. For us, this is a great loss of a loved one," recalls the family of the deceased medic. According to his colleagues, friends, and comrades, Serhiy loved his work, nature, and crafts, and did all repairs himself. He was a kind and wise person, a good friend, and always ready to give advice. He would always help, pull you out, and support you.
For three years, he fought in various battalions, holding various positions and participating in battles on different sections of the front. He defended Bakhmut, Soledar, and Popasna.
He died on March 1, 2025, on his 51st birthday, while performing his duties in the Dnipropetrovsk region as a result of massive shelling by Russian troops. He is buried in the Alley of Glory at the Lisovy Cemetery in Kyiv.
Serhiy Georgiyovych is survived by his family: his wife, two daughters, and mother.
We bow our heads in respect to Hero Serhiy Chelpan, and the entire medical community of Donetsk Oblast offers him eternal memory and honor!