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Semen Oblomei

“Sem”

13 June 2000, Kyiv – 21 June 2022, Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk OblastUAL Kyiv, 2017–2018

“I had an inner dialogue […] I hesitated because I had no real military experience.”

On February 25, Semen joined the Solomianske Territorial Defense unit. Afraid he might not make it — so many people were volunteering — he stood in line for five hours, only to find that the weapons were already gone. Friends then told him about the Svoboda Territorial Defense unit, and by February 28, Sem was there.

He did extensive volunteer work in Kyiv, Brovary, Irpin, and surrounding areas before his path led east. He found adventure and meaning in everything. It seems that this simple, open way of engaging with life is what made Semen special.

“At first, it was very much like a military-patriotic camp […] until we headed to Rubizhne.”
He took the realities of war as they came, supported his comrades, and always hurried back to his people.
“When I call home, I say I’m okay. And I am — I’m okay.”

“A packed June,” Sem joked in his last interview. His beloved’s birthday, a wedding, and his own birthday— all in one month. June 21 became the day of his death. It is difficult to comprehend how so much joy and tragedy can exist within such a short span of time.
Semen had hoped to become a professional arborist but never had the chance. His family and colleagues founded the Semen Oblomei Scholarship Fund to develop arboriculture in Ukraine and fulfill his dream of healing trees. Follow the fund on Instagram for updates.
At the M.M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv, a young, rare Ginkgo biloba tree — grown by Semen from seed — was planted in his memory. Another tree stands on Trakhtemyriv Island, where Semen dreamed of living; his ashes were scattered there.

A volunteer initiative supporting defenders within the Ukrainian Leadership Academy community.

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A volunteer initiative supporting defenders within the Ukrainian Leadership Academy community.

moc.liamg%40mroftalpkytod

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© Created by Pick Page

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