In the Rivne region, the funerals of five fallen defenders of Ukraine were held, who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the country. Among the fallen are Andriy Hodunko from the Sarny community, Oleg Semenchuk from the Dubrovytsia territorial community, Dmytro Bulan from Varash, Oleksandr Shekel from the Korets community, and Dmytro Nesterovych from the Rivne and Horodok communities.
This is reported by Rivne24
Memories of the Heroes
Andriy Hodunko was born on September 15, 1980, in the village of Pidluzhne. He lived in Horodok in the Kostopil district. In June 2024, he took up the defense of Ukraine, serving in the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade. Unfortunately, on September 11, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission near Maksymilianivka in the Donetsk region, he went missing, and DNA testing confirmed his death.
Oleg Semenchuk, born on August 27, 1998, in the village of Orv’yanytsia, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in April 2022. He served in the Kherson and Donetsk directions and was awarded numerous honors for his courageous performance of duties. Unfortunately, on May 16, 2026, he sustained serious injuries from which he could not recover.
Tragic Stories of the Fallen Defenders
Dmytro Bulan from Varash, who took up the defense of Ukraine in December 2023, served as a shooter-sapper in the 150th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He had been considered missing since August 11, 2024. DNA testing confirmed that he sustained injuries incompatible with life in the Bakhmut district.
Oleksandr Shekel, born on August 28, 1992, became the commander of a self-propelled artillery battery in May 2022. He died on May 16, 2026, as a result of artillery shelling while carrying out a combat mission in Donetsk region.
Dmytro Nesterovych, born on November 11, 1995, in Rivne, joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in November 2024. After training, he became part of the special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate “Artan.” Unfortunately, on February 26, 2026, he was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Recently, his body was returned to his family for a dignified burial.