3rd Assault Brigade combat medic dies in battle while saving comrades at eastern front

She was 39 years old.

She was killed in the morning of Aug. 7 along with two comrades during a combat mission when an enemy drone struck.

Since 2008, Maryna Hrytsenko had worked as a research associate at the Chernihiv Regional Art Museum. At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and the attempted capture of Chernihiv, she moved into the museum with her daughter to safeguard the exhibits from looting in case of danger.

"Can this even be believed? Maryna embodied the resilience of our museum during the siege," the Museum wrote.

"Her character and indomitable spirit never let her give up — her soul was drawn to the fight. We are proud of her, somehow knowing she was stronger than many of us. The museum has lost not just an employee, it has lost part of itself. We grieve immensely."

In February 2023, she joined the Armed Forces, initially serving as a rifleman-medic in the Third Separate Assault Brigade. Later, as a combat medic and junior sergeant, she took part in battles for Kharkiv Oblast.

In January 2025, as a medic in the 1st Assault Battalion of the Third Assault Brigade, Hrytsenko was awarded the Order for Courage by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for her dedication and bravery in saving her comrades on the front line.

Maryna Hrytsenko was also a Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine member. She joined the organization in 2021 with her daughter Yulia and served as secretary of the Chernihiv branch.

"She took part in many local events, was an instructor and secretary at the ‘Expedition 2022’ camp in Bukovyna’s Makarivka, organized for children affected by the war," Plast’s statement said.

On Oct. 5, 2022, she joined the Stepovi Vidmy (‘Steppe Witches’) senior scouts’ unit. She took the Plast oath in October 2023 in the Baturyn fortress during the ‘Ashes of Baturyn’ training, when she was already serving in the army. She was also a helper in the ‘Sokoly’ cub scout group and briefly served as head leader before being called to military service. She was passionate about music and Ukrainian historical traditions."

"You were, are, and will remain an example of courage and loyalty to the Oath. Thank you for everything: for your service, your good deeds, your inspiring book clubs, and the bright, short meetings during your visits from the front," wrote her fellow scouts in the ‘Steppe Witches’ unit.

Maryna Hrytsenko is survived by her 15-year-old daughter Yulia and her parents.