Senior Seaman Volodymyr Khranovskyi, known by the callsign "Lysyi" (Bald), was killed on December 3, 2023, on the Kherson front near the village of Krynky. He sustained fatal shrapnel wounds while carrying out a combat mission. He was 25 years old.
Volodymyr was born in Mariupol. He graduated from the city's Mechanical and Metallurgical College and was a Master of Sports of Ukraine in water polo. In 2020, he earned a bachelor's degree from Berdiansk University of Management and Business. The following year, he completed a master's degree in Physical Education at Mariupol State University, after which he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"For more than seven years, Volodymyr worked as a diver at a metallurgical plant. He received an award for introducing initiatives that reduced costs and improved operational efficiency. In the summer of 2021, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and served in a special operations unit," said his partner, Marharyta Yurchuk. "He brought light to everyone around him. He was cheerful, optimistic, and always ready to support and help others."
During Russia's full-scale invasion, Volodymyr defended Ukraine as a member of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center named after Otaman Antin Holovatyi. He served as a group operator in the 3rd Detachment.
His unit carried out missions in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
His final mission took place near Krynky.
"While returning from a mission with his comrades, they triggered an enemy tripwire. Sadly, the shrapnel wound to his chest was fatal," Marharyta explained.
Volodymyr was awarded the Honorary Distinction "For the Defense of Mykolaiv," the War Veteran Medal, the Presidential Distinction "For the Defense of Ukraine," and, posthumously, the Order for Courage, Third Class.
He was laid to rest at the Heroes' Alley in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region.
He is survived by his parents, younger sister, and civil partner.
At 9:00 a.m., Ukraine observes the National Minute of Silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Memorial Heroes Platform honor the memory of the fallen defenders from the Donetsk region.