Tributes paid to ‘most worthy’ Ukrainian mayor
Havant’s council leader has paid tribute to a Ukrainian deputy mayor who was killed months after stepping down to fight for his country.
Sergiy Tetyukhin stepped down as deputy mayor of Odesa, a port city on the Black Sea in the south of Ukraine, last year to join the frontline in the war with Russia. But, as reported by close friend Lord Ashcroft, he was killed by a Russian missile strike along with his friends and colleagues on March 15.
Havant borough councillors said they got to know Sergiy Tetyukhin in his civilian capacity while helping supply humanitarian aid and taking equipment out to Ukraine.
Such was Mr Tetyukhin’s impact as a colleague and then friend, his death was honoured at the last full Havant Borough Council meeting.
The 49-year-old served in the Odesa-based Tsunami Assault Regiment commanded by his close friend Lt-Col Olexandr “Alex” Gostyschev. The pair, and deputy commander Dmytro Abramenko, were among the victims of the missile attack.
Speaking after the council meeting, before flying off to Moldova and Ukraine, leader of Havant Borough Council, cllr Alex Rennie said: “The idea of being in a local government role and then having to fight for your country is a scary thought and a very sobering one.
“He really was one of those wonderful people in life that had a smile and a huge generous heart and was always willing to talk to anybody about issues.”
Former East Hampshire district councillor Guy Shepherd said: “He is well worthy of being put on a pedestal as a most worthy and incredible person. He is very selfless.
“He clearly cared deeply about his country which is why he ended up giving up public service.”
Mr Shepherd said the ‘Tsunami Regiment’ was formed from the National Police of Ukraine. Being a non-military unit, it falls under ‘internal affairs’ and does not receive access to Western weapons or supplies and no access to NATO-funded equipment.”
He really was one of those wonderful people in life