Vladyslav BABENKO

Vladyslav Babenko was born in the village of Karabynivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In April 2015, he began working on the railway as a trackman for the Lower Dnipro track distance of the regional branch "Pridniprovsk Railway."

When the war began, Vladyslav Babenko reported to the Armed Forces of Ukraine upon receiving a summons, even though he had a deferment. "I will not hide behind a deferment," he told his stepfather before leaving.

In June 2023, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces, serving as a machine gunner in an assault company. In August 2023, near the village of Robotyne, Vladislav was wounded in the leg and also suffered a concussion; he crawled for a day to reach his comrades. The injury left lasting effects. Vlad was supposed to report to the military medical commission, but he couldn't leave his fellow soldiers because he was responsible for them as the group leader.

The 32-year-old fighter was killed on July 17, 2024, near the village of New York in the Donetsk region.

Alexander Cherevik, the track master of the Lower Dnipro track distance under whom Vladyslav worked, recalls: "Vladislav was cheerful, kind-hearted, very sociable, and sincere. He loved to treat his colleagues with snacks he usually brought for lunch with tea. He loved children, even though he didn't have any of his own yet. He was very responsible. He didn't divide work into his and others'; if needed, he worked on weekends, in bad weather, and despite the threat of shelling. He understood that the railway is critical infrastructure that must function continuously for the transportation of passengers and goods. When he received the summons, he said he was going to defend his homeland. I visited the wounded Vladislav in the hospital and listened to his stories about the front lines. Although it was hard and frightening, Vlad believed: if not him, then who?"

Ihor Habilovych, Vladyslav's stepfather and, by "coincidence," the track master of the same track distance where Vladislav worked, says that his stepson was a true hard worker: he worked both as a trackman and a rigger when needed. He wanted to learn to be a draisine driver as well. He approached his work very responsibly; no one ever spoke ill of him.

"I met Vlad when he was only three years old; from the age of nine, I was like a father to him. He was a very cheerful person, always encouraging everyone, avoiding conflicts, the soul of any company. He loved his grandparents, who raised him from a young age, his family, and lived in harmony with his wife. He gladly went fishing with me," said Ihor Habilovych.

Vladislav's younger brother, Oleksandr, also went to fight and became a scout. Ihor Habilovych also wanted to go to the front, but his sons said, "We will fight for you; someone has to stay behind."

"Not long before Vlad's death, our younger son wanted Vlad to transfer to his unit to look after him after his injury. But the boys didn't have time..." said Ihor Habilovych.

The team of the Lower Dnipro track distance mourns deeply and bows their heads in sorrow in memory of our brave colleague Vladislav Babenko. He consciously chose the path of a defender, not seeking cover, and became an example of resilience for all of us. His courage and selflessness will never be forgotten. Glory to the Ukrainian warrior!