Serhii Kotenko

Serhii Kotenko was born in Haisyn, Vinnytsia Oblast. He graduated from Kamianets-Podilskyi Higher Military Engineering Command School in 1989. He served in the army for 22 years. In 2014–2015, he headed the Haisyn Regional State Administration, and later returned to military service. He was the commander of the 9th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion "Vinnytsia Scythians". From 24 February 2022, he took part in the Russo-Ukrainian War, redeploying his forces to Vasylivka in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. == Awards ==

• The title of "Hero of Ukraine" with the deigning Order of the Golden Star (2022, posthumously) for personal courage and heroism shown in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath. • Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III degree (2019) for significant personal merits in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, civic courage, dedication to upholding the constitutional principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms, significant contribution to cultural and educational development, active volunteering. == References ==