Defended Mariupol and died at Azovstal: in memory of guard Stepan Yeromenko (VIDEO)
Stepan Yeromenko - defender of Mariupol. For the last four years, nine months and twenty days of his life, he devoted nine months and twenty days of his life to service in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He began his canine career as a defender in the National Police. In four years, he turned into a real specialist.
“Cheerful, in love with his business and dogs. This is exactly what Stepan Yeromenko was. We served together in the police of Donetsk region. He was very much loved by dogs, and he loved them. I have never seen him gloomy or sad. What is most surprising: just as he found a common language with dogs, so he could find a common language with any human being. Apparently, there was so much of this inner light in it that everyone was drawn to it,” Ivanna Yashchenko tells the colleagues of the deceased.
Since August 2021, Stepan has served in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine. He signed a contract with Military Unit 3057 and held the position of Chief of the 1st Dog Group of the Kennel Platoon.
“First we were united by cynology, the second is sport. He was engaged in canology all his life. The last competitions in the 21st year, thanks to Stepan, we took the first place in the Eastern OTO on the search theme. He was a great specialist and a first-class “figure”. He worked very cool.The main directions are the search for people, obedience, protection. This is a very bright person, very kind, will always come to the rescue. I baptized his daughter Sofia,” says comrade Stepana under the pseudonym “Ziber”.
During February-May 2022, the Russians turned the life of Mariupol into hell. The Ukrainian defenders fought desperately with the enemy in almost complete isolation from resources and reserves.
“At first we were all taken to Azovstal. Then from there they were distributed to positions in the city. We were not close to him. One day we met in the hospital. We brought our wounded comrade there. And they brought a wounded comrade from the platoon there. I never saw him again. Only before his death did we transcribe in the telegram. All I know is that the bunker he was in was hit by an air bomb. And broke through several floors,” says Sieber.
To Stepan's brothers, the “Musician” guard recalls that they got to Azovstal on April 15, 2022. Some of the soldiers took up combat positions. Others searched for supplies of provisions and water, dismantled rubble under constant shelling. Tunnels were moved between the workshops.
“It was an area of 11 square kilometers and had its own borders of defense. I remember such a moment. Stepan with his brother went on combat duty. The enemy attacked our position from the “Grad”. Stepan stood next to the window. Hail struck just two or three meters from it, but got stuck somewhere in the gap between the walls and broke apart. We thought: everything! But then everything ended well for us. We have experienced all the terrible events together. I remember how he regretfully remembered his family, was very worried about his wife, his daughter. He constantly talked about his daughter, how he wanted to see her and hug her. About the wife he loved,” - says the “Musician”.
Sergeant Stepan Yeromenko was hit by an enemy airstrike at 14:30 on May 11, 2022, during a combat mission in the area of the Azovstal metallurgical plant. He received an explosive injury incompatible with life.
Stepan's relatives and acquaintances still have a little hope for a miracle. After all, where Stepan's body is currently located is unknown. No witnesses to the death have been identified. The fact of death was established by the Solomensky District Court of Kyiv.
For more details of the story of the defending hero “Azovstal”, see the material.
National Guard of Ukraine
