Lives Paid for Freedom and the Future: Police in Mykolaiv Honored the Memory of Colleagues Who Died for Ukraine

29 August – Memorial Day for the defenders of Ukraine who died in the fight for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Today the head of the regional police headquarters of the region presented state awards to the families of police officers who died during the full-scale war with the Russian Federation. By the Decree of the President of Ukraine, they were posthumously honored as Heroes for personal courage and the defense of the country.

The memory of the fallen police defenders was honored with a minute of silence by the head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Mykolaiv Oblast Serhii Makhno with his deputies, the head of the Mykolaiv regional veterans’ organization of the Association of Veterans of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Olga Morozova, police officers and relatives of the deceased.

– We have gathered together to honor our colleagues who gave the most precious thing for the future and freedom of Ukraine, – addressed those present Serhii Makhno. – No words can lessen the pain of loss, but we grieve with you and are always ready to support you. We bow our heads to you – the parents, wives and children of our colleagues.

The medal «Defender of the Fatherland» and the distinction «For the Defense of Ukraine» were presented to the relatives of the fallen defenders by the head of the regional police headquarters.

Posthumous state awards were bestowed upon: Senior Lieutenant of Police Stanislav Smirnov. For almost 17 years Stanislav served in the ranks of the internal affairs bodies, holding various positions in special purpose units and the explosive ordnance disposal service. In 2024 the policeman joined the ranks of a rifle battalion, heading an explosive ordnance disposal unit of the subdivision. This year on 23 May in Donetsk region he received a fatal wound from an enemy UAV strike.

Police Captain Maksym Alekseev. He began his service in the police back in 2008 and worked all that time as a forensic inspector at one of Mykolaiv’s police stations. In 2025 he joined the ranks of a rifle battalion to defend his homeland. Last year on 8 September as a result of enemy fire from an FPV drone near a settlement in Kramatorsk district, the policeman sustained extremely severe injuries. Doctors fought for his life for several days, but on 10 September 2025 the law enforcement officer died.

Since independence, 44 police officers from Mykolaiv have died in the line of duty, 8 Heroes – they gave their lives in the struggle for Ukraine. Their lives became the price of freedom, their feat the price of the future, and the memory of them is forever with us.

Those present laid flowers at the Memorial to law enforcement officers who died while performing their duties. Eternal memory to the defenders. They will remain in the ranks forever.

Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Police.