Senior Private Serhiy Donov was born on July 27, 1998, in Mariupol. He graduated from the local School No. 54. In 2017, he enrolled in the Mariupol Maritime Lyceum, where he trained to become a motorman. At the same time, he studied at the Kherson Maritime Vocational College, majoring in “ship mechanic.” His family hoped he would follow in his father’s footsteps and devote his life to the sea.
After completing his studies, Serhiy enlisted in the military and joined the Mariupol Detachment of the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. His contract expired at the end of 2021.
On February 15, 2022, he signed a contract with the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Mariupol Brigade. He faced the full-scale invasion on the outskirts of his hometown. He served as an armored personnel carrier driver and was wounded.
After receiving treatment, he continued his service in the 21st “Sarmat” Motorized Infantry Battalion. He fought near the village of Pisky in the Donetsk region. During the hostilities, he suffered several concussions, which led to serious vision problems. Despite this, he did not leave military service.
Serhiy was later transferred to the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakov Handziuk, where he served as a vehicle mechanic in the city of Haisyn. In the spring of 2024, he voluntarily renounced his “limited fitness” status and transferred to the 108th Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci’s Wolves.” He served as a scout and rangefinder.
“Serhiy will forever remain in the memories of his family, friends, comrades, and everyone who knew him as a brave warrior, a loving son and husband, a loyal friend, and a true patriot of Ukraine. We hadn’t seen him since the war began. We only spoke on the phone,” wrote his mother, Olga Volodymyrivna.
Serhiy Donov, codenamed “Student,” was killed in action on June 26, 2024, in the city of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. He was 25 years old.
He was buried in the city of Haisyn in Vinnytsia Oblast.
He is survived by his parents, three younger sisters, and his grandmother.
At 9:00 a.m.—a nationwide minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional State Administration and the “Memorial to Heroes” platform are honoring the fallen defenders from the Donetsk region.