Serhii Popovych was born on June 15, 1996, in Magadan, Russia. His mother, Olena, is Yakut, while his father was Ukrainian. When Serhii was two years old, the family moved to his father’s native village of Verlok in the Radomyshl community of Zhytomyr region, hoping the local climate would improve the boy’s health.

Serhii spent his childhood in the Zhytomyr region. He attended school there, enjoyed football and fishing, and had a natural talent for working with technology. As a young man, he could independently repair household appliances.

After ninth grade, Serhii studied to become an electrician in Zhytomyr. Later, after the family moved to Yakutia, he changed his course of education. Upon returning to Ukraine, he trained as a welder in Radomyshl.

At the age of 20, Serhii began his compulsory military service in the Dnipropetrovsk region. According to his mother, the army changed him for the better, strengthening his discipline, responsibility and determination.

After completing his service, Serhii worked and dreamed of becoming financially independent. Health problems eventually forced him to change jobs, and he later worked as a supermarket cashier. His family remembers him as an exceptionally kind person who always tried to help others.

From civilian life to the defense of Ukraine

In the spring of 2023, Serhii received his military call-up notice. After completing his training, he joined the 115th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At first, he served in northern Zhytomyr region.

In December 2023, Serhii was deployed to the Donetsk region. There he chose the callsign “Yakut”, reflecting his family roots and birthplace.

He rarely told his mother exactly where he was stationed, trying to protect her from unnecessary worry. However, he continued to communicate with her and wrote about his comrades and the animals they cared for.

Before his first combat mission, Serhii warned his mother that he would be out of contact for several days.

Missing near Bakhmut

On the night of December 16, 2023, Serhii and his comrades went on a combat mission near Ivanivske in Bakhmut district. Not everyone who left for the mission returned.

On December 31, the family received official notification that Serhii Popovych, a rifleman and assistant grenade launcher operator, had gone missing.

According to his comrades, Serhii was part of a four-person group that moved first and was closest to enemy positions. Because there was no definitive information about his fate, his family continued to hope that he might still be alive.

For his mother, this began a long and painful period of waiting. She continued to believe that her son would eventually return.

His death confirmed by DNA testing

Only in July 2026 did DNA testing officially confirm Serhii Popovych’s death.

According to information provided by his family, the serviceman’s remains had been returned to Ukraine during an exchange of the bodies of fallen soldiers in 2025. After the necessary identification procedures and examinations were completed, the family was finally able to say goodbye to him.

In July 2026, Radomyshl said its final farewell to Serhii. After a memorial ceremony in the city center, the serviceman was buried in his native village of Verlok.

Serhii is survived by his mother Olena and his brother.

A man born far from Ukraine but raised in the Zhytomyr region ultimately chose to defend the country he considered home. His life was cut short in the Donetsk region while carrying out his military duty.

For his family, friends and fellow villagers, Serhii “Yakut” Popovych will forever remain a defender of Ukraine who gave his life for his country.

Eternal memory and honor to the Hero.