Serhiy Konoval Memorial Day
Today, students and lecturers gathered to pay tribute to the memory of our university’s graduate, commander, paramedic, participant in the Revolution of Dignity and the Anti-Terrorist Operation, Hero and Defender of Ukraine – Serhiy Konoval.
Serhiy was killed exactly two years ago — on 6 April 2024 — in the Donetsk region, near Chasovyi Yar. He was the commander of the 2nd Company, ‘Steel Hundred’, of the T. Hammer Battalion. Back in 2014, the young man volunteered to defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Right Sector Volunteer Corps. He later led the 6th Reserve Hundred of the Ternopil region, taking care of the combat training of the fighters and the patriotic upbringing of young people. Together with his comrades, he co-founded Ternopil’s first veterans’ centre, ‘The Veteran’s Home’.
Serhiy Konoval was a vibrant, multifaceted individual: he was keen on cycling and cinema, played musical instruments, read voraciously and travelled the world. In 2018, together with ATO veterans, he undertook a large-scale charity cycle tour called ‘The Milky Way’ — covering over 10,000 kilometres across Canada and the US, during which he told foreigners the truth about the war in Ukraine.
When the full-scale invasion began, Serhiy returned to the front line without hesitation. Together with his men, he defended the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donbas and Luhansk regions. Always calm, level-headed and courageous, he remained at the same time an exceptionally kind and caring person — the best brother, friend, son, husband and commander to his comrades.
Serhiy Konoval was one of those people whose loss is impossible to fathom, and whose greatness is difficult to overstate. He left behind an invaluable legacy as a true patriot and public servant. His life, marked by courage and unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom, has become an integral part of the history of our nation and our university.
May the hero rest in peace.
