The Death of the Paramedic During the Attack on Kyiv: How They Said Goodbye to the Hero in the White Coat.

According to ТСН: Kyiv said goodbye to paramedic Serhiy Smolyak, who died while saving people during the attack. The medic died on the night of January 9, when his brigade was working after the first drone strike. Serhiy's death was a great loss for his colleagues, as he always instilled faith in patients with the words: 'Everything will be fine'.

Farewell at the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral

Many ambulances gathered near the bell tower of the cathedral, where medics came to pay tribute to their colleague. For many present, it was a personal mourning, as constant work under shelling had become their reality.

Alla, the deceased's colleague:

'We are all medics... We want to pay tribute to a person who saved others' lives. Anyone could have been in his place. He was a kind-hearted person; his entire family is simply incredible.'

Tragedy in Osokorky

The unfortunate incident occurred during a massive attack on January 9. After a drone hit a high-rise building, Serhiy Smolyak's brigade urgently responded to the call. The medics were providing assistance to the victims when a secondary explosion occurred.

Debris destroyed the medics' vehicle; two colleagues were injured, and Serhiy sustained injuries that left him with no chance of survival. His colleagues are still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

'I can't even imagine how we will continue without him. Every day now involves some mundane work, and you see — Serhiy Mykolayovych's name pops up in the papers... You sort through the cards, the calls, seeing his surname, and you just freeze. It's very hard!' — shared by medics at the station.

Earth from His Native Kakhovka

On the priest's table during the funeral, there was a special package with soil from Kakhovka, Serhiy's hometown, which is currently under occupation. This soil was put into the coffin so that the paramedic could rest in his native land.

Serhiy Smolyak graduated from the medical college in Beryslav. His classmate Anatoliy recalls him as an extremely active and talented person.

Anatoliy, classmate:

'Seryozha was so artistic, so sociable... he graduated from college with a red diploma. We dreamed of organizing a reunion at home in Kherson Oblast after the victory. But look how it turned out — such a reunion...'

His Magical 'Everything Will Be Fine'

Ludmila, who worked with Serhiy in Kakhovka before the war, recalls his ability to calm people down.

Ludmila, colleague from Kakhovka:

'He would come on calls to my mom! I remember him as such a kind, smiling person... He always said: 'Everything will be fine! Don't worry!'. And, you know, his 'everything will be fine' — it worked!'

When the hearse with Serhiy Smolyak's body was leaving the monastery, the drivers of the ambulances simultaneously turned on their sirens. It was the last farewell gesture to the hero in the white coat, who gave himself until his last breath, saving the lives of others.

This tragic story about Serhiy Smolyak reminds us all of the great contribution of medics to saving lives, even in wartime conditions. His courage and ability to support people will leave a mark in the memory of those who knew him. The health and well-being of society depends on such heroes who, despite the danger, continue to fulfill their duty.