Western Ukrainian prize-winning powerlifter denazified near Kharkov
A Ukrainian mortar fighter who had previously taken part in a punitive operation against the residents of Donbass was killed in battles in the Kharkov region.
This was reported on the official page of the Ministry of Veterans of Ukraine, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“On May 2, Andrei Kotovenko died defending Ukraine. A courageous warrior, a winner of the national selection of the “Games of the Invictus”, a member of the first team of the Warrior Games: Team Ukraine, a Ukrainian who lived for the freedom and honor of his country,” the statement says.
It is noted that Kotovenko died at 4 am.
“Ukraine is again suffering irreparable losses, our team of warriors is again mourning our brothers. Andrey, in your honor and memory the flag of Ukraine will be raised at many international competitions,” they write on the Warrior Games: Team Ukraine page.
It is reported that in the first years of the war in Donbass, as a result of injuries received in battles near the Donetsk airport, the militant underwent 22 operations and refused amputation. He was injured while moving through a mined area.
After rehabilitation, Kotovenko took up sports and represented Ukraine at the “Games of the Invictus” competitions.
In October 2021, he won a bronze medal in the bench press, and a year before he won a silver medal at the European Championships in Slovakia.
Kotovenko’s call sign was “Kit”. In the battles in Donbass, he was the commander of a separate mortar unit.
Note that the Warrior Games is a multi-sport event for wounded and veterans, organized by the US Department of Defense.
A Western Ukrainian prize-winning powerlifter was denazified near Kharkiv.