Heroes Never Die: Valentin Bershadsky

"Valentin said he had to defend us with a weapon in his hands," recalls Olena, Valentin Bershadsky’s wife. "We were born here, and we will fight for our freedom."

Intent continues its series of articles about fallen defenders, “Heroes Never Die.”

Valentin Mykolayovych Bershadsky, a soldier with the 122nd Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces, was killed on December 28, 2023. The vehicle he was driving was ambushed by an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group in the Shostka district of Sumy Oblast.

His wife, Olena Stepanivna, and his unit commander, Arkadiy Nikolaenko, spoke about his life, his daughters Ilona and Kateryna, his love for cars, his camaraderie with his fellow soldiers, and his fearlessness in battle.

“We met in 2008 over the phone thanks to mutual acquaintances,” recalls Olena Stepanivna. “He was such a kind-hearted person, like a ray of sunshine. Cheerful and positive.”

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PHOTO provided by the interviewees

Valentin was a tractor operator by training. He worked in his field after receiving his diploma. He was a good worker, and wherever he worked, he left a good impression.

At that time, I was already divorced, and my daughter Ilona was five years old. Three years after we got married, our daughter Kateryna was born. Valentin was a loving father to both of our daughters.

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PHOTO provided by the interviewees
 

Katya inherited her sense of justice from her father. After ninth grade, she wants to apply to law school, starting with a high school education for now.

Valik knew a lot about cars. He was constantly working on his own car and could spend round-the-clock in the garage. He even set up an inspection pit there. He would sometimes forget to eat while he was there; we’d have to call him out for lunch. Then he started taking on jobs, repairing cars for clients. He was more knowledgeable about mechanics, and when it came to electrical work, his friend would help out if needed. And, of course, he was a good driver.

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PHOTO provided by interviewees

Actually, he had a real knack for fixing things. Valentin did almost all the home repairs himself.

When the full-scale invasion began, at first I didn’t even know that he had gone several times to enlist in the army. He was turned down; there were very long lines at the military registration office. Valentin said, “To protect you from the invasion, I have to do this with a weapon in my hands.” His grandfather had fought in the war, and he was certain he had to do the same.

My husband didn’t talk much about the fighting. But from him I knew that near Bakhmut, the battles were taking place nose-to-nose with the Russians—the enemy was very close.

Rotations took place every three days. Sometimes it was very difficult to simply deliver water and food. Valentin often drove to drop off and pick up soldiers; they were very grateful to him.

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PHOTO provided by interviewees

And in the winter of 2023, clashes in the Sumy region were very intense. In the snow, he and his comrades constantly saw tracks from enemy vehicles and boots.

Communications weren’t very good. Valik managed to tell me that he would soon be transferred to another section of the front, from where he would be able to call me more often. But the next day, his vehicle, with his comrades inside, was ambushed.”

“We met at the Bolhrad Military Training Center in the Odesa region,” recalls his comrade Arkady Nikolaenko. “I was a platoon leader, and Valentin was one of our best fighters. He was kind, responsible, and dependable. And fearless in battle. Valik was already an adult, but he learned very quickly.

Valentin was the only one trusted with the combat vehicles. He always kept them in good working order.

Back then, in the Sumy region, they ran into a sabotage group. Four of us were driving a “Mitsubishi,” and 15 bastards had been lying in ambush for two days. It was December, with snow up to our waists. The enemy hid in the snow and mined the road.

The car hit a mine; Valik and Sanya Kobzar were killed. Stas Imamov and Sasha Tkachuk were still conscious, but they were shot as prisoners. Those bastards love to post their crimes online afterward.

All four of them were really great guys, true fighters, fearless. I visit their graves whenever I can; I remember their contribution to our struggle."

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PHOTO provided by the interviewees

“We’re still in touch with Arkady Nikolaenko,” says Olena Stepanivna. “He sometimes visits his comrades’ graves, and we’re grateful to him for that. As for Valik’s monument, his colleagues built it. He used to create such monuments himself. They did everything right for him; he was remembered as a good worker and friend.

Valentin died for his country and for each of us. And I feel that those who fell in the war did so for my sake as well. But we will carry on living. Remember the national anthem: “Ukraine has not yet perished, nor has its glory or freedom.” 
 

Антон Терехов