Matros Vadym Kononenko was born on July 10, 1999, in Kherson. He studied at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of the Kherson State University.
From a young age, Vadym was passionate about sports: he played football, became the champion of Ukraine in tourism, and held the title of candidate for master of sports. He worked as a coach at a tourism center and served as a judge at competitions.
When the full-scale invasion began, Vadym remained in his hometown. He experienced searches by the occupying authorities and later, without a driver's license, evacuated his wife and her relatives. After the liberation of Kherson, he returned and became a rescuer. During the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station, despite the shelling, he rescued people.
Later, Vadym joined the 426th Separate Drone Systems Regiment as part of the 30th Marine Corps, receiving the nickname MIL.
Vadym's wife, Anna, remembers him as determined, brave, and cheerful, always able to offer support with words and humor. She noted that she felt safe with him.
Tragically, on April 24, 2026, Vadym Kononenko was killed in his hometown of Kherson by an enemy FPV drone strike. He was only 26 years old.
Vadym was buried in Mykolaiv. He is survived by his wife Anna, father Anatoliy, grandmother Tetiana, and cousins Karina and Alina.
NV, in collaboration with the Memory Platform Memorial, honors the memory of fallen soldiers.