Defender Valentyn Holikov, call sign “Musician,” was killed on April 25, 2025, near the city of Toretsk. He sustained a fatal wound during a small-arms battle with the enemy. He was forever 39.
Valentyn was born on September 13, 1985, in the city of Kramatorsk. He studied at local School No. 10. He graduated from a higher music school and became a professional drummer, able to play many instruments. Later, he earned a law degree from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. He spoke English fluently. For some time, he worked as a lawyer, and later took a job as a drummer on a cruise ship in the United States. He loved animals.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Valentyn terminated his contract and returned to Ukraine to defend it. He joined the National Guard of Ukraine and served as a sniper in the 6th Battalion of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade “Azov.” He fought in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and spent many months defending the Serebrianskyi forest.
“He was a true patriot and a Hero of Ukraine! The best father, husband, son, and brother-in-arms. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he told me: ‘The time has come to take up arms.’ I accepted his decision. I was always worried about him. Despite the great distance, I constantly tried to be close and support him in everything. He was an extraordinarily decent, honest, kind, and talented person. Despite all his achievements and talent, he was very modest and reserved, with a big, sincere soul. He didn’t like to show off. He was honest and always fought for the truth. He used to say: ‘The truth will always prevail!’ He loved his homeland, but above all he loved his children and parents with all his heart. He always cared about me and worried that I would be safe,” wrote his fiancée, Diana.
“Valentyn carried out combat missions in the forests near Kreminna and in Toretsk. He told how the enemy tried to kill them with gas, how he and his brothers-in-arms spent weeks in an industrial building exposed to the elements, under constant shelling—where it was impossible to close your eyes even for a minute, and where wounded comrades waited two or three days for evacuation. For him, his brothers-in-arms were like a second family, like blood brothers. Their loss caused him great pain. Until his very last breath, Valentyn bravely and heroically defended his native land from the invaders. He did a great deal on the front line to ensure that Ukraine would be a free country. He gave the most precious thing for it—his own life,” she added.
Valentyn Holikov was awarded the III degree distinction of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine and the “For Valor” medal.
The soldier was buried in Kyiv.
He is survived by three children, his father—who suffered a heart attack after the loss of his son—his fiancée, and his brother.
At 9:00 a.m., there is a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the “Memorial of Heroes” platform honor the fallen defenders from the Donetsk region.