In Memoriam of Ivan Trembovetskyi

"Cyborgs withstood, concrete could not withstand!" This phrase is forever etched into the modern history of Ukraine, as are the names of those who became its living embodiment. Amongst them is 1+1 Media broadcast editor, Junior Sergeant Ivan Trembovetskyi, whose combat journey began in March 2014 and came to an end on July 5, 2026.

A memorial event dedicated to Ivan Trembovetskyi was held at the Museum, where family, fellow soldiers, colleagues, and friends gathered to reflect on the life of the media professional and defender.

Ivan’s parents, Maryna and Yurii, along with his godmother, Tetiana Hrabovska, attended the event. They shared stories from the warrior’s childhood and youth. Ihor Meshcheriakov, Ivan’s teacher, spoke specifically about his school years. He recalled the way Ivan’s mother had wanted her son to study at the Ivan Bohun Kyiv Military Lyceum after his ninth grade. "A military school for our talented Vania?! He should be dancing, singing, and cheering people!" the teachers argued, advocating for Ivan to pursue a creative path in civilian life.

After finishing school, the young man enrolled at the National Academy of Culture and Arts Management, specialising in sound engineering. As his family recalled, it was a compromise between the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and a theatre academy. During his student years, Ivan enjoyed travelling across Ukraine with his theatre studio.

In 2003–2004, Ivan completed his mandatory military service. He chose the most challenging option—the 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade (now the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade)—where he served in the reconnaissance company of the 2nd Battalion.
After his demobilisation, he worked in his professional field, serving as a broadcast editor for the TV channel "Inter," and from 2012, for the media holding "1+1 Media" (specifically the channels "2+2" and "TET").

On March 20, 2014, Ivan Trembovetskyi deployed to defend Ukraine as part of the reconnaissance company of the 2nd Battalion, 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade. Serhiy Kozyma, the general producer of the "2+2" TV channel, recounted that when Ivan left to defend Ukraine, the entire team supported him. During his brief periods of leave, he visited the office and shared stories from his time in the army with his colleagues. Tetiana Maiborska, one of Ivan’s colleagues, recalled, "At the time, he was the only employee from the company serving in the war, and he would always say: ’My father taught me this: when a war starts, you have to go and fight.’" Ivan’s unit, under the command of "Kupol," carried out missions along the administrative boundary with occupied Crimea (in the Kherson region) and at the Shyrokyi Lan training ground. In the Sloviansk area (specifically on Mount Karachun), the unit participated in the liberation of Siversk, Yampil, Zarichne, Zakitne, Krasnyi Lyman, and other settlements. From October 2014, Trembovetskyi himself took part in rotations to the Donetsk Airport. Between January and February 2015, he served as an artillery spotter near the village of Spartak. Maryna Trembovetska noted that Ivan never complained to his parents; instead, he shared only humorous stories. For instance, he recounted how he and his fellow soldiers—lying in the freezing airport—would find advertisements and jokingly place orders for pizza to be delivered to the Donetsk Airport.

In February 2015, their unit was redeployed to Debaltseve; they were among the last to withdraw, carrying the wounded out with them. It was during this time that Ivan acquired the call sign "Yunga" ("Cabin Boy"), a nod to his youthful appearance among his comrades-in-arms.

The defender generously contributed various artefacts to the War Museum. These items—a piece of an armoured personnel carrier known as a "swallow" signed by his fellow soldiers, a flag from 2014, and a guitar from Pisky bearing his personal signature "Yunga" (which he used to perform for the troops)—have all become part of the museum’s collection. Following his demobilisation in the spring of 2015, Ivan returned to the TV channel, married his former classmate Dasha, and they had two daughters, Veronika and Viktoriia.

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, he once again took up the defence of his homeland. He participated in the defence of the Kyiv region as part of the 206th Territorial Defence Battalion (based in Vyshhorod). Later, he served in the Main Directorate of Intelligence, before transferring to the 238th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion, "Black Falcon," part of the 8th Army Corps of the Air Assault Forces. The defender’s final commander, Major Volodymyr Shevchenko, was also present at the memorial event. In his remarks, he noted that he and Ivan had known each other for 10 years—both were from Kyiv, and both had served in the 95th Brigade. "At the beginning of 2024, he asked to transfer to my company. It was a great honor for me, as Vanya was a true professional. A professional is someone around whom problems simply evaporate. He would dispel the darkness with his own light, his smile, and his jokes." In memory of the defender, Major Shevchenko wrote a poem, which he recited during the event.

Volodymyr Shevchenko also donated a "Vampire" strike drone from the 238th Battalion to the Museum; although damaged by an enemy FPV drone, it had managed to return to its position. The story of Ivan Trembovetskyi’s life and service is a testament to the strength of the Ukrainian spirit—a strength that proved more resilient than enemy artillery.

Eternal glory to the Hero!