In Memory of Senior Sergeant Roman Kutsenko
Senior Sergeant Roman Kutsenko of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, born on February 3, 1985, in the village of Ivankhorod, Kirovohrad region, is remembered for his bravery and dedication to his country.
Roman Kutsenko, a senior sergeant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was born on February 3, 1985, in the village of Ivankhorod, located in the Oleksandriia district of Kirovohrad region. His life began in a humble Ukrainian family, where from an early age, he demonstrated abilities and a strong desire for education. After completing his general education, Roman enrolled in Kirovohrad Higher Vocational School No. 4, where he trained as an electrician, laying the foundation for his future career.
After completing his compulsory military service in Odesa, Roman found employment at the meat processing plant “Yatran” in Kropyvnytskyi, where he met his future wife, Yulia. According to her, Roman stood out among other young men due to his charisma and earned respect within the team. Both had prior experiences of family life and children from previous marriages, but they did not distinguish between 'their own' and 'others'. Over time, they began living together, and after a few years, they formalized their marriage.
In 2015, amid the escalating situation in eastern Ukraine, Roman joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and became a participant in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). In 2016, after returning home, he signed a contract with the Third Special Operations Forces Regiment. Yulia recalls that upon returning from rotations, Roman always tried to reassure her, saying that everything was fine and he aimed to maintain a positive mood.
During his service in the Third Regiment, Roman continued his education and graduated from the Central Ukrainian National Technical University. In 2017, he was sent to the United Kingdom for the Cambrian Patrol, an international special forces competition recognized for its extreme difficulty. The Ukrainian team achieved a remarkable second place, marking a significant accomplishment for the country.
On February 24, 2022, Roman was engaged in combat missions in Donetsk, where he remained for four months without leave. A week before his scheduled rotation, he received new orders that transferred him to Kharkiv. Despite offers to stay in the rear, Roman insisted that his place was at the front, as he did not want the enemy to approach his homeland. Yulia recalls how difficult it was for her to come to terms with this, but she understood his desire to defend his country.
Throughout his service, Roman received numerous awards, including the Order of Courage III class (March 13, 2022) and II class (June 2, 2022). In 2023, after sustaining injuries, he returned to service, and in 2024, he transferred to an aviation squadron, where he held the position of senior air gunner. During his service, he destroyed over ten enemy targets, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and bravery.
Tragically, on July 18, 2025, Roman suffered severe injuries in the Dnipropetrovsk region. On July 19, after extensive efforts by doctors, he passed away in the hospital. Yulia recounts that Roman sustained shrapnel wounds from a missile, but before he was taken to the hospital, he managed to pull his comrade from under fire. This act exemplified his heroism and self-sacrifice, which he displayed in every situation.
Roman's burial took place at the Alley of Glory in the Far Eastern Cemetery in Kropyvnytskyi, where an aircraft flew over during the farewell ceremony in honor of the hero. Yulia noted that Roman had not planned to dedicate his life to military service, but when the war began, he could not stand aside. According to her, 80% of his life was comprised of defense, will, and strength.
On September 30, 2025, posthumously, Roman Kutsenko was awarded the Order of Courage I class. Currently, a petition for him to be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine is under consideration by the head of state. Roman Kutsenko left behind an indelible memory, and his heroism and bravery will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
Photos from the family archive and Suspilne. Kropyvnytskyi. Based on materials from Ukraine-Center, Suspilne, and Glavkom.
Prepared by the Ukrainian National Agency Ukrinform in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory and the online media of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine ArmyInform.
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