Mykhailo Kulish, Rostyslav Parkhomenko, and Dmytro Kryvenko - Stories of Heroes who Died for UkraineOn June 26, 2023, three heroes: Rostyslav Parkhomenko, Dmytro Kryvenko, and Mykhailo Kulish - died for the freedom of the state and nation while performing a combat mission in the south of Ukraine.

They were experienced professionals with unique expertise, who struck important targets in the russian federation using long-range unmanned aerial systems.

Their group is credited with dozens of destroyed enemy targets, that caused significant damage to the aggressor state and negatively affected its combat capabilities. The systematic work of their group helped the defenders of Ukraine to keep the defense against hordes of bloodthirsty muscovites.

For the sake of eternal glory and to honor the memory of the fallen Rostyslav Parkhomenko, Dmytro Kryvenko and Mykhailo Kulish, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine is revealing for the first time unknown details of the combat and life path of the DIU servicemen.

Rostyslav Parkhomenko

Rostyslav Parkhomenko was born into a family with deep patriotic traditions. Since childhood, he was raised in the spirit of love for Ukraine and respect for its history.

At school, Rostyslav actively participated in patriotic and cultural events. He dreamed of becoming a soldier to defend his country. After graduation, he entered a military institute. After graduation, he passed a very difficult selection process and joined a special forces military unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

The young and courageous officer quickly mastered new combat skills and became one of the exemplary fighters in his unit. His comrades-in-arms could always rely on him in the most difficult situations because he never gave up and always looked for the best solutions.

Subsequently, Rostyslav Parkhomenko became known among his comrades-in-arms for his prudence during the most risky combat and special missions, which allowed his group to achieve successful results.

After intensive training in the DIU special forces unit, Rostyslav began to participate in operations against Russia. Some of them are still classified.

Rostyslav's unit often performed missions in the hottest spots of the frontline, where courage, precision, and coordination were essential.

He met the beginning of the russian full-scale invasion on the eastern front. Later, he arrived in Kyiv and participated in the defense of the capital of Ukraine.

A group of Special Forces under the command of Rostyslav Parkhomenko operated near Bucha and Irpin. They destroyed more than three dozen enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as command posts, field ammunition depots, and a significant number of Russian occupiers.

After heavy battles for Kyiv, Rostyslav continued to fight on the southern front. He was one of those who tried to break through to the besieged Mariupol to help its defenders.

With the interaction with other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Rostyslav's group in the south discovered and destroyed more than 40 units of expensive enemy military equipment: radar stations, electronic warfare stations, air defense systems and a significant number of artillery systems, including multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

Rostyslav Parkhomenko was one of the first Ukrainian military specialists to use the latest models of unmanned aerial vehicles and inflict large-scale and tangible losses on the enemy.

The death of Rostyslav - a caring and sensitive man, father and son, brave warrior, and talented commander - is a heavy loss for his family and comrades-in-arms.Rostyslav wanted to teach his son fishing, as he was incredibly fond of it. He loved sports and traveling and planned to show his children Norway, one of his favorite countries. Rostyslav Parkhomenko dreamed of seeing his daughter with his wife, but it was not to be.

Dmytro Kryvenko

On June 30, 2023, Boryspil honored the feat of Dmytro Kryvenko, who fell in the war with the Russian occupiers. He was 49 years old.

The pilot instructor and head of ground training at Ukraine International Airlines could not stand aside. After the outbreak of a full-scale war, he volunteered to join the Ukrainian army.

In 1994, Dmytro graduated from the Kharkiv Air Force Institute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. From July 1993 to November 2005, he served in the Air Force of Ukraine.

In 2007, he started working for Ukraine International Airlines as a co-pilot. In October 2011, he was promoted to the position of aircraft commander. In December 2014, he became a pilot instructor and head of ground training.

Dmytro Kryvenko was fond of model airplanes, motorcycles, and gardening.

According to his friends, he was a polite and optimistic person.

At work, Dmytro was a mentor, friend, and comrade-in-arms for his colleagues. At home, he was a reliable husband to his wife and a loving, cheerful, wise father to his daughter Victoria.

As a professional pilot with many years of experience flying large aircraft, after the full-scale russian invasion, Dmytro began using his skills to defend Ukraine by transporting military cargo.

Dmytro Kryvenko dreamed of the time when he could sit at the controls of an airplane in his native Boryspil and take to the free Ukrainian sky again.

“The war will end someday, and it will definitely be our victory. I believe it will be an honor for me to take the plane into the sky,” he said.

“We will all remember Dmytro as a fair commander, a demanding instructor, and most importantly, a man who loved the Ukrainian sky and his job above all else! Dmytro Serhiiovych was a mentor and an example for many young pilots. His memory is forever in our hearts. May you fly forever, Commander!” fellow aviators wrote in memory of Dmytro.Dmytro Kryvenko is survived by his wife and daughter.

Mykhailo Kulish

Mykhailo was born in 2001 in Zaporizhzhia. Since childhood, he dreamed of the sky and persevered in pursuit of his dream.

After graduating from the lyceum, he entered the Faculty of Aircraft Construction at the National Aerospace University.

During his studies, he was recognized as one of the most hardworking and talented students. Mykhailo was an excellent student and a reliable friend to his classmates. He often said with a smile: “You need to sow positivity and give people joy!”

Mykhailo was fond of swimming, judo, handball, and playing the clarinet, he loved music and fast cars. He lived with an open heart, easily chose his career path, was friendly to people around him, and was confident in his abilities.

While studying at university, Mykhailo started working at Motor Sich. Thanks to his diligence and professional training, he worked his way up from a mechanic to a design engineer, working with helicopters and conducting research on serial production aircraft parts.

After the russian invaders invaded Ukraine, the Kulish family decided to stay in Ukraine and moved to Kyiv. Mykhailo immediately began looking for options to increase his contribution to the fight against the invaders.

From the end of 2022 to March 2023, he worked as a mechanic at a company that produced missiles and artillery shells.

Young but very intelligent and ambitious, Mykhailo had an exceptional sense of responsibility for his assigned area of work and efficiency, thus he quickly gained recognition among his colleagues.

He wanted to master the profession not only on the ground but also in the sky, observed the work of professional pilots of airplane-type UAVs in real conditions, and then practiced all aspects of piloting on simulators.

Mykhailo was well-versed in aviation and robotic engineering, which also came in handy during his special missions.Mykhailo Kulish is survived by his mother and sister.

The group of Rostyslav Parkhomenko, Dmytro Kryvenko, and Mykhailo Kulish was killed as a result of an enemy fire attack.

Each of them was posthumously awarded by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Eternal honor to Rostyslav Parkhomenko, Dmytro Kryvenko, and Mykhailo Kulish who fell for free Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!