Sergey Porokhnya

Brigade Commander - Colonel

Unit: 12th Separate Guards Engineering Brigade, Central Military District

Cargo ID: #63

Full Name: Sergey Ivanovich Porokhnya

Russian Name: Порохня Сергей Иванович

Date of Birth: July 2, 1977 (age: 44 years)

Place of Birth: Shevchenkove village, Konotop district, Sumy region, Ukraine

Lived in: Gusev, Kaliningrad Region, Russia

Place of Death: “At the time of the crossing, Sergei Ivanovich came under mortar fire and died,” (Although not specifically stated this is likely an early attempt at the crossing of the Siverskyi Donets River which became infamous due to the Bilohorivka incident that killed his Successor)

Education: Kaliningrad Higher Military Engineering School, Nizhny Novgorod Higher Military Engineering and Command School

Passport Information: series 2702 № 452709, issued 13.06.02 by the center of internal affairs of Nemanskiy District in Kaliningrad

SNILS (Government ID): 138-052-664 55

Awarded: Order of Courage (ph.), Medal "For Military Valor" 1st Class, Medal "For Military Valor" 2nd Class, Medal "For the Demining of Palmyra", Medal "For Diligence in Engineering Tasks", Under Investigation, Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" 2nd Class, Medal "For Distinction in Military Service" 3rd Class, Medal "For Participation in the Military Parade on Victory Day", Medal "For Courage", Medal "For Military Valor", Badge "Officer Master Class", Badge "For Service in the North Caucasus", Badge "Graduation from a Higher Education Institution", Badge "Guard"

 In 1994, Sergei and I and other guys came as cadets to the Kaliningrad Military School. We came from there from all over the country - I’m from the Moscow region, from the Nakhabino Center of Engineering Troops. We studied there for a year, then, in connection with the reform of the Armed Forces, we were transferred to complete our studies in the Nizhny Novgorod region, in the city of Kstovo, where the Nizhny Novgorod Higher Military Engineering and Command School was formed, where we spent about four more years,” recalls Andrei Kushnir, who served with Sergei Porokhnya in one battalion.

“Our 8th company was on the first floor, and Seregina’s 10th company was on the third. He served with us in the first platoon of cadets. We wore outfits together, changed each other, and went to training exercises. Our studies were supposed to end in May 1999, but we graduated in March, without defending our diploma. At that moment, the war in Chechnya began, there were not enough officers, so on March 27, 1999, we were already standing in our greatcoats on the parade ground and saying goodbye to the school. That was the last time I saw Sergei live. And then we scattered all over Russia - from the Far East to Moscow and Transnistria. Everyone started their own careers, and they could only communicate on social networks,” recalls Kushnir.

- Many of us are no longer in this world. Some died in the Chechen war, others in the line of duty. I’m very sad that Sergei died, I’m worried. After all, he died in the prime of his life, and he was survived by his wife and children... But it was his mission - to defend the Motherland. Therefore, eternal memory to the Hero, and rest in peace to him. We will remember everyone who died defending the world,” Andrei Kushnir expresses his condolences.

Following the Death of Colonel Sergey Porokhnya, Colonel Denis Kozlov [Cargo ID #170] was appointed as his successor. He was killed a little under 2 months later.