Pastor and sniper Oleksandr Olivko was killed on the front lines
Oleksandr Olivko, a Baptist pastor from Vinnytsia, was killed on the front lines while defending Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion, he had been assisting the military as a volunteer, and after the war began, he enlisted in the Defense Forces and became a professional sniper.
Oleksandr Olivko served as pastor at the young “Light of Life” church in Vinnytsia. For his congregation, he was not only a spiritual mentor but also someone who had been helping the Ukrainian military for many years. Olivko had been volunteering since 2014. After the start of Russian aggression, he actively supported the front lines and helped Ukrainian defenders. With the onset of the full-scale invasion, Oleksandr decided to defend Ukraine himself. He voluntarily joined the Defense Forces and trained as a sniper.
He served in an assault battalion
Oleksandr Olivko served in the 1st Assault Battalion of the 3rd Army Corps. After transitioning from volunteer work to military service, he took direct part in combat operations. Olivko became a professional sniper and carried out combat missions on the front lines.
The report does not specify the circumstances or location of the soldier’s death. Oleksandr’s death was reported by the “All-Ukrainian Council.” They noted that the pastor voluntarily joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and died defending the country.
His son and son-in-law are also defending Ukraine
The war has become a shared cause for Oleksandr Olivko’s family. His son and son-in-law are currently defending Ukraine as well. Thus, the pastor’s family continues to serve in the Defense Forces even after his death.
The story of Oleksandr Olivko is the journey of a man who initially spent many years supporting the military from the home front, and then, after the outbreak of full-scale war, took up arms himself. He combined his pastoral ministry, volunteer work, and military service. On the front lines, Olivko became a sniper and died defending Ukraine. His comrades, family, and the congregation of the “Light of Life” church in Vinnytsia honor the memory of this fallen defender. This was reported by the “All-Ukrainian Council.”
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