Combat medic Yulia Duginova, nicknamed “Smakolik,” died on September 19, 2023, while performing her duties in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
She underwent professional medical training at the 184th Training Center of the National Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny. The soldier was 36 years old.
Yulia was born and lived in the city of Kramatorsk. She graduated from Secondary School No. 4 and then received a higher education at Donbas State Pedagogical University, specializing in mathematics.
She dreamed of teaching children, so she worked in her profession in educational institutions in Kramatorsk and the region. At first, she was a mathematics teacher at Secondary School No. 31, and since 2014, she was a computer science and mathematics teacher at Secondary School No. 17. Later, she became a mental arithmetic coach at the Smartum Children's Center. Since 2017, she has taught information technology at the Kramatorsk Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining. Recently, she worked as a methodologist at the Department of Natural and Mathematical Disciplines and Teaching Methods at the Donetsk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education. At the same time, Yulia also taught mental arithmetic: she developed and used a methodology for teaching people with hearing and visual impairments.
Yulia had a very old dog named Caesar, whom she loved very much and took care of. She was passionate about art and was a creative person.
She loved going to shows, playing board games with friends, and coming up with new and interesting ideas. She also made beautiful crafts, sewed soft toys, and participated in city exhibitions.
In the early days of the full-scale invasion, Yulia became a volunteer, using a 3D printer to make tourniquets and sewing various items for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On April 8, 2022, she was at the Kramatorsk railway station. She miraculously managed to survive. That day, Yulia said: “My response to today's events is to join the territorial defense. My brain also considers the enemies to be monsters. But I don't attack, I defend myself...” First, she joined the Territorial Defense Forces, then the Special Forces Special Purpose Unit.
In 2023, Yulia transferred to the 81st Separate Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She served as a combat medic in a tank company. Her father, Oleksiy Serhiyovych, also served there as a tank driver.
Her comrades and commanders treated Yulia with respect. She was able to interest everyone in training and workshops on tactical medicine and defense. She introduced modern methods borrowed from American allies. Later, she was sent to undergo professional medical training at a training center, where she died.
Yulia was buried in her hometown.
She is survived by her mother Lyudmila Nikolaevna, father Oleksiy Serhiyovych, and grandfather Serhiy Oleksiyovych.
At 9:00 a.m., there will be a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional State Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform will commemorate the fallen defenders from Donetsk Oblast.