“His Courage Became My Light”: ENGin student Vadym in memory of his hero friend Serhiy

When we talk about the impact of language, we often focus on the surface: fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation. But for ENGin student Vadym, English became something much deeper — a path to healing, a way to honor a fallen friend, and a bridge to global connection during the darkest time of his life.

This is a story about friendship, loss, resilience, and the invisible threads that tie us together — across countries, languages, and generations.

Major Serhiy Myhalatiy with his wife and son

A Brother in Arms and in Spirit

An ENGin student Vadym met Serhiy Myhalatiy when they were still young, full of dreams and ambition. They grew up through the ranks together, training side by side as cadets, sharing plans for a future they hoped would be peaceful.

Major Serhiy Myhalatiy (call sign "Filin"), commander of the 172nd Battalion of the 120th Territorial Defense Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, died on May 26 in the Kharkiv region while defending Ukraine. He was only 30 years old. This hero was laid to rest on May 29 in his native Kropyvnytskyi, on the Alley of Glory.

To Vadym, his death was not just the loss of a friend, but the end of a chapter that shaped his life.

“His heroic death was a personal tragedy, but his courage became a powerful source of inspiration,” Vadym writes.

Serhiy was a multifaceted individual: he graduated from Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and worked as a Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) investigator in Kherson. Under the pseudonym Oleh Mriienko, he wrote compelling short stories, poems, and essays. He was a loving husband to his wife Viktoria and a devoted father to his son Taras.

Major Serhiy Myhalatiy

From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, Serhiy bravely defended his homeland, progressing from platoon commander to battalion commander.

He was highly respected as a progressive leader who prioritized the preservation of his personnel's lives. Serhiy received numerous state and departmental awards, including the medal "For Faithful Service" and "For Bravery in Combat." 

Serhiy Myhalatiy was more than just a warrior; he was also a talented writer, an activist, and a "person of honest heart" who firmly believed that even the smallest action could change the world. He leaves behind not only his heroic military legacy but also an enduring memory in the hearts of his family, friends, and comrades.

Read the powerful poem Serhiy wrote — words that continue to inspire and move all of us:

When I disappear,

My footsteps will rustle through the forests. My shadow

won't be washed away by the strongest downpour. My

voice will sing baritone in the chorus of the mountain

river.

Not everyone manages to carve their name into the

granite of reality with fragments of their soul. And to

engrave it with fire so as to forever remain an elusive

passerby on the streets of beloved cities.

That's why I write with intensity on the pages of my very

strange existence.

My heart, tattered and wreathed in cigarette smoke,

pushes drops of life in the rhythm of a satanic crescendo.

That's why I write, live, love, and fight.

But I will always be glad for those who stand beside me.

In a futile, yet desperate, attempt to burn as brightly as possible.

Only this way can one achieve immortality.

— Oleh Mriienko (Serhiy Myhalatiy)

The Long Road Back

After sustaining his own injuries during military service in Donetsk and Luhansk, Vadym faced a long and painful recovery. There were moments, he admits, when his strength faltered — when the weight of grief and trauma seemed too heavy to carry.

But the memory of Serhiy never left him. In a letter reflecting on his friend’s life, Vadym wrote:

“His courage became that light which led me forward. His spirit calls me to return to the Security and Defense Forces and continue his mission.”

Even in absence, Serhiy remained present — a beacon of dignity and bravery guiding Vadym through emotional and physical pain.

Rebuilding Through Language

In the midst of his recovery, Vadym found his way to ENGin. What began as a step toward regaining confidence in English became something far greater — a safe space to process, connect, and move forward.

With the help of his international volunteer Richard Blumberg and fellow ENGin participant Julia Kost, Vadym began to reclaim his voice.

“They not only help me overcome the language barrier, but also give me confidence in my abilities and faith in a better future for our country, share my feelings and love for my homeland.”

Their conversations went far beyond grammar or vocabulary. They became spaces of empathy, where emotions were honored, stories were shared, and healing began.

Language as Legacy

It’s easy to underestimate what English means in times of crisis. But for many Ukrainians, it has become a critical survival skill for advocacy, access, and connection with the world beyond the frontlines.

In Vadym’s case, English became part of his mission. Through ENGin, he was able to honor Serhiy’s life not only by continuing his service but by ensuring his story could be shared and heard in every corner of the world.

At ENGin, we are honored to walk alongside Ukrainians like Vadym. We are not on the frontlines, but we are building something just as vital: the communication skills, confidence, and connections that help Ukrainians tell their stories, lead their communities, and shape their futures.

And to every ENGin student navigating grief and growth in a time of war, your voice matters. We're here to help you use it.

In Memory of Serhiy Myhalatiy

Writer. Father. Warrior.

Your words live on.

Your courage carries us.

Your story continues through those you inspired, and those who will now tell it in every language.

Glory to the Heroes!

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