A ceremony of presenting state awards — the Orders "For Courage" of the 3rd degree, which were posthumously awarded to servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our state, took place in Chuguiv. The high awards were presented to the relatives of the fallen Heroes Vadim Bychkov and Serhiy Verekhin.
The awards were presented to the families of the fallen defenders by the Deputy Mayor - Manager of the Executive Committee Lyudmila Makarenko and the Deputy Head of the Chuguiv RTCC and SP Volodymyr Fedotov.
The Order "For Courage" of the 3rd degree (posthumously) was awarded to Vadim Andriyovych Bychkov, a native of the village of Zarozhne, Chuhuyiv district, Kharkiv region. Vadim was born on August 13, 2002, studied at the Zarozhne Vocational College, and later earned a degree in electric and gas welder at the Kharkiv Mechanical Engineering Vocational College.
In April 2021, he was called up for military service, which he served in the 78th separate airborne assault regiment, and after its completion, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was during his service that Vadim encountered a full-scale Russian invasion. He participated in the defense of Kyiv, hostilities in the Zaporizhia and Kherson directions, and since the fall of 2024, he has served as part of the 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign.
In March 2025, while performing a combat mission near the settlement of Ozaryanivka, Bakhmut district, Donetsk region, Vadym Bychkov was killed as a result of enemy fire. He was only 22 years old. His mother, two younger brothers, and three sisters were waiting for him at home. The Defender was buried on April 4, 2025 with full military honors in his native village of Zarozhne.
Also, the Order of Courage, 3rd degree (posthumously) was awarded to Verekhin Sergey Alexandrovich. Sergey was born on June 26, 1984 in the city of Kharkiv, where he received his education, worked as a cook, security guard, and collector. He served in the military in 2003-2005.
In August 2022, he was mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and served as a grenade launcher assistant rifleman in the 25th separate assault battalion of the 47th assault brigade. After training abroad, he defended Ukraine in the Orikhiv direction of the Zaporizhia region, and participated in the liberation of the village of Robotyne.
In his last battle, Sergey Verekhin was the commander of an assault group. While performing a combat mission, he captured two enemy soldiers and, at the cost of his own life, ensured the escape of his group without losses. The Hero died from the wounds received on August 17, 2023. He was buried on the Alley of Glory in the city of Kharkiv.
The feat of our Defenders is an example of indomitability, courage, and boundless love for Ukraine, which will forever remain in the hearts of our compatriots...