Ukrainian actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko declared killed in action
Ukrainian actor and athlete Ivan Kononenko has been killed in action on the Kursk front. He had been considered missing since 25 February 2025. Yesterday, on 9 December, a funeral for the defender was held in Kyiv.
Source: State Film Agency of Ukraine with reference to Kononenko's sister
Quote: "Ivan was not only a serviceman, before the full-scale invasion he spent many years working in the film industry and in sport. He was part of the team of the legendary Vasyl Virastiuk (weightlifting and strongman), and was a prize-winner and champion of dozens of competitions, including the Ukraine Open 2006 Olympic Strongman."
Details: The actor was 42 years old. He is survived by two children.
Ivan was known for his work in Ukrainian films and TV series.
According to the Memory platform, Ivan Kononenko volunteered for the Territorial Defence of Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district on 24 February 2022. On 10 November 2022, he sustained a severe injury, after which he spent almost a year in rehabilitation. Doctors said he would not fully recover. Ivan created his own rehabilitation programme and recorded videos so that others could benefit from his experience.
Ivan later signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and attained the rank of senior lieutenant. He became the commander of a rifle platoon in military unit A1815. In February, contact with Ivan was lost while he was carrying out a combat mission near the settlement of Ingulsky in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
"Since then he has been considered missing in action. Ivan was one of those people it is impossible not to love: huge, strong, kind, with an incredible sense of humour and a childlike smile.
He always went first. He always protected his own. He was always inspiring. His family, his sons, his parents, sister, brother, brothers-in-arms and thousands of followers have not lost hope and continue their search," the Memory platform stated.
A funeral for him was held in Kyiv on 9 December.
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