Heroes live as long as the memory of them lives, so let us honour Ukraine's defenders who gave their lives for our freedom.
In peacetime, thirty-year-old Hlib Hovorukhin from Zaporizhzhia had a strong family – a loving wife and six-month-old daughter, and a caring grandmother who raised him. He had a good job at Zaporizhstal and colleagues who became friends – sharing common interests and plans. His happy and peaceful life was shattered by the full-scale war: Hlib volunteered to the front in August 2022.
"He believed that if he was there, on the front lines, the war would end sooner. Unfortunately, he is gone, but the war continues," recalls Hlib's fateful decision his wife, Olesia Hovorukhina. "He was very strong-willed, so once a decision was made, that was it. He always trusted his intuition and listened to it in everything."
They were together for 13 years: through tears, the woman's face lights up with a bright smile as she recalls their memories.
"We met on the dance project 'Maidan's', we danced as a pair and perhaps fell in love then, from the first dance. Then we performed together in various creative shows in KVN and 'League of Laughter'. He was very talented and could make anyone laugh," said Olesia.
Colleagues from Zaporizhstal also remember their shared performing past. There, Hlib Hovorukhin worked for six years as an electrician for the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment in the hot rolling shop. He actively participated in the enterprise's youth movement, performed for the enterprise's KVN team, and did stand-up comedy.
"Hlib was a very reliable friend, he was a pillar of support. You could always count on him, he could help at any moment, he could do anything. Always cheerful, full of strength and hope for a happy future in his native country, which he went to defend from the occupiers. We often remember him with friends and colleagues from Zaporizhstal," says Serhii PETROV, an employee from Zaporizhstal.
Hlib was also passionate about festivals and loved travelling. At one time, the Hovorukhin visited almost all the country's music festivals – "MRPL Fest", "Fine City", "Republic" – and made joint plans for the future.
"We had a shared dream to climb Hoverla, but we did not have time to realise it together. So I did it for both of us. I dedicated my first ascent of the country's highest mountain to my husband. The second time I climbed Hoverla with his flag – it was very important to me," says Olesia HOVORUKHINA.
The inscription on the symbolic photo of the defender's wife – "A little closer to my hero" – speaks for itself.
Last year, Olesia also participated with relatives in the all-Ukrainian running campaign "I Honour Warriors, I Run for Heroes of Ukraine", dedicating this sporting achievement to her husband. She plans to join the run this year as well.
The campaign will take place on 30 August. For Ukrainians, this is not just a sporting event – it is a bridge of memory that connects the heroism of the fallen with our daily gratitude.
Hlib served as a mortarman in the 15th Operational Purpose Brigade named after Hero of Ukraine Lieutenant Bohdan Zavada of the National Guard of Ukraine. He defended his native Zaporizhzhia direction.
He was killed defending the Motherland near the village of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region in December 2022. He was awarded the Order "For Courage" 3rd class, posthumously.
"Time does not heal, unfortunately. But I am supported by my relatives, family, and friends. I also sought help from a psychologist. The best support for me is our child. 'Varvara Hlibivna' – that is the only way she introduces herself. I often tell her about her father, how caring he was, how much he loved us. I say that he lives in heaven and in her heart," says Olesia.
At home, there is a portrait painted in memory of the fallen hero – a gift from an artist from Ivano-Frankivsk.
The memory of Hlib Hovorukhin is now also preserved by the "Tree of Memory" in Zaporizhzhia. Recently, a bell with his name was placed on the memorial complex. Now the family and friends of the fallen hero can remember him in this sacred place as well.
"It is our duty to remember and honour fallen heroes. Visiting this place is a good opportunity to remember those who are not with us but to whom we owe our lives, to thank them for their heroism, lay flowers, or simply listen to the sound of the bells," notes Serhii Petrov.
As a reminder, on Ukrainian Statehood Day in Zaporizhzhia, a ceremony was held to honour fallen warriors. Eighty-two new bells with the names of those who gave their lives for Ukraine's freedom and independence were installed on the "Tree of Memory".
