In Memory of Border Guard Artem Kalinka

Artem Kalinka is remembered by his comrades as a communicative man who always maintained a positive attitude and a sense of humor. His commanders recall him as a diligent and reliable officer: when given a task, he executed it without any problems or excuses.

Senior Lieutenant Artem Kalinka, an officer of the 10th Mobile Border Detachment, tragically died on December 24, 2024, in the Sumy region during an assault by Russian troops. He passed away just weeks before his 31st birthday, leaving a profound mark on the hearts of his loved ones and colleagues.

Artem was born on January 13, 1994, in the town of Polonne in the Khmelnytskyi region. He grew up in a family with a border guard father, while his mother, Oksana Vasylivna, raised him as a military officer's son. Thus, Artem's childhood dreams of military service and his adult readiness to serve his homeland, even at the cost of his own life, were entirely understandable.

Initially, the young man earned a civilian farming specialty, but ultimately decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enrolled in the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky. He successfully graduated in 2020, receiving a bachelor's degree in Border Security.

Artem began his professional military career in the 25th Border Detachment of the Southern Regional Department of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, where he encountered the full-scale invasion of Russia. In the midst of the tumultuous year of 2022, he transferred to the 10th Mobile Border Detachment, where he became the officer of the first fire group of the second section of border service inspectors of the VPS unit 'Dozor-Zhytomyr'. As part of this unit, Artem carried out combat missions in one of the hottest areas of the war, in Sumy region, near the Russian border, when enemy forces abruptly ended his life.

According to colleagues, Artem was on that mission with his friend, Captain Oleksandr Fedchun. At that time, the enemy was fiercely assaulting Ukrainian positions. The officers approached one of the positions at noon to provide fire support to the defenders and evacuate the wounded. They worked calmly, bravely, and professionally. Unfortunately, a massive attack of enemy drones, artillery, and missile strikes began. Mortar shells do not distinguish between professionals and inexperienced soldiers, and one such shell claimed the life of Artem Kalinka, leaving his comrades, family, and homeland in deep mourning.

Artem had many plans for the future and always dreamed of a large family. In April 2023, he married his beloved Victoria, and in May 2024, he celebrated the birth of his son, Bohdan. He dreamed of having another son and a daughter, wanted to build his own house and plant a garden. Fishing was his favorite hobby, which brought him joy and tranquility.

Artem Kalinka was buried at the Alley of Fallen Heroes in the new cemetery in Polonne. He is survived by his parents, wife, son, brother, friends, and comrades-in-arms, who will always remember his heroism.

On April 29, 2025, the President of Ukraine signed a decree posthumously awarding Artem Kalinka the Order of 'For Courage' of the third degree, honoring his dedication and heroism. Eternal memory and respect to this Warrior!

This article was prepared by the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory and the online media of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine ArmyInform. Join our channels on Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube.