The death of the former defender of Dynamo Kyiv, Vorskla Poltava and Metallist Kharkiv became known on July 9. Sergei Balanchuk died at the age of 47, falling under artillery fire from Russian invaders near Bakhmut.
In memory of his comrade, Vashchuk wrote a touching post on social networks.
" He was a straight A student - for our Dynamo football sport class it was a phenomenon, and everyone envied me, thought that I was a good student because I cheated. I didn’t cheat, the options were different, but I was always surprised at how quickly Serega solves complex problems and writes long works.
We were friends in the way that it was possible to be friends in youth - when you know that a friend is with you, whether you are right or not, whether you are good or bad. The four of us were friends. Gang. The rest were beaten for a short while, but did not linger.
We played Dynamo-3 together, moved to Borisfen together, returned to Dynamo together. Only then did I get into the main team, and Seryoga, along with Sergei Fedorov and Sanya Shovkovsky, got into the double. He was the only one who immediately supported and understood my decision, despite the broken agreement.. Said I was 100% right.
From Dynamo, he moved to Israel, to Maccabi, played there, then played in Vorskla, and then. Then he made a completely unexpected career as a lawyer, a lawyer, refuting the popular belief that football players are not capable of this..
Life took us to different countries and cities, but definitely we were always glad to see each other. Such youth as we had is a blood connection for life, but this is all understood much later, of course.
Two years ago there was a meeting of classmates - it seems to be in another life. He wrote to me in May. He said that he was already in the army. I didn't expect of course. Seryoga Balanchuk, and suddenly - the army. Chatted for two hours. About what - I don't know. About everything. About what's going on. About war. About people. About life.
Yesterday afternoon it was reported that Seryoga had died.. Came under fire near Bakhmut. I still can't believe he's gone. Heroes don't die..." Another Dynamo legend, Alexander Shovkovsky, admitted that the news of Balanchuk's death came as a shock to him..
\! He died defending our country in a war with insidious rashists, who are not alienated by anything. We started together in football. And by the way, he was the first among all of us to get after school from Dynamo-3 to the double of Dynamo and entrenched in the team... Together with him we came to the first team of Dynamo on December 18, 1993, together with Sergei Fedorov. You can tell a lot, but I will say one thing - he always professionally and responsibly treated everything he dealt with," The capital club also commented on the death of its former player. "
" Sergei played for our club from 1992 to 1999.
We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Balanchuk. We will not forget this sacrifice and we will not forgive the invaders for a single death of Ukrainian soldiers. Eternal memory and glory to all who fell for the peaceful sky of Ukraine, defending our independence, freedom and democratic values,"
Balanchuk is a pupil of Dynamo. He studied in the football class of school No. 170 in Obolon together with Alexander Shovkovsky, Vladislav Vashchuk and Sergey Fedorov.
Sergey played for the main, as well as the second and third teams of Dynamo, CSKA Kyiv, Maccabi from Haifa, Vorskla and Metalist.
After completing his career as a football player, Sergey received a law degree and has since worked in his specialty. Since the beginning of full-scale Russian aggression, 47-year-old Balanchuk has been in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.