Artem Katela was killed in Mariupol on March 29, 2022.
He was preparing food near his home when the shelling began. Artem died from blood loss without ever regaining consciousness. He was 29 years old.
Artem was a journalist and, in the last year of his life, headed the media service of the Mariupol basketball team. He also worked as a basketball game commentator.
Artem was a huge fan of the Star Wars saga and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He loved yachting, just like his father. Together, they won numerous awards.
“For many, he was just the good guy riding his bike through the streets of his hometown,” a friend wrote about him.
“Artem was my best friend for over seven years. I remember him as someone who would always listen, support, give advice—and tease me about my adventures, always in a positive and caring way. He was incredibly wise, active in sports, and a total geek—in the best sense. He was just awesome! I still can’t believe I can no longer return to my hometown and meet him for coffee near ‘1000 Dribnyts’ where he lived. But that’s the reality...
When I speak about him, I remember a friend who was sincere and loyal, no matter what,” added his close friend Valeriia.
At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Artem wrote on social media:
“Well... war, ladies and gentlemen. It's here now, in our home. In our beloved Ukraine. We all know who our enemy is… I won't write much here, just a quote from my favorite TV series:
‘War and hell are not the same. War is war, hell is hell—and the first is much worse. Only sinners go to hell, there are no innocents there. But in war, there are so many.’
Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Ukraine will prevail!”
At 9:00 AM — a national moment of silence.
Donetsk Regional Administration and the Memorial platform: ‘Killed by Russia’ commemorate the residents of Donetsk region murdered by Russian forces.