The Sevastopol regional administration announced via its Telegram channel the death of Guard Lieutenant Colonel Yan Sukhanov, who served as the chief of staff for the 810th separate naval brigade of the Black Sea Fleet. The message conveyed condolences and noted that Sukhanov’s career stood as a testament to steadfast service in the region he called home for most of his life.
Born in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sukhanov pursued a military education with distinction, graduating in 2002 from the Far Eastern Higher Command School. His professional path led him to Sevastopol, where he continued to build a long and dedicated career, earning the respect of colleagues and subordinates alike for his discipline and integrity.
Governor Razvozhaev described Sukhanov as someone who embodied fairness and a strong sense of duty. Colleagues recall him as an honest and principled officer who carried the weight of responsibility with quiet resolve. In Razvozhaev’s words, Sukhanov was more than a commander; he was a dependable leader who set a high standard for those around him.
Throughout his service, Sukhanov held roles in both airborne assault units and reconnaissance, fulfilling varied and challenging duties. His career included international assignments such as business trips to the Syrian Arab Republic, reflecting the breadth of his experience and the trust placed in him by senior leadership. A decorated officer, he received several awards, among them the Order of Courage, recognizing his bravery in operations demanding courage and composure under pressure. Under his leadership, the 810th Separate Marine Brigade participated in key engagements in Mariupol and near the Azovstal steelworks, shaping the unit’s recent history and contributing to strategic objectives in the region.
Razvozhaev’s report also noted that Sukhanov sustained injuries during the fighting in Mariupol. While receiving medical treatment in a Moscow hospital, doctors diagnosed him with a serious condition described as an insidious illness that complicated his ability to recover from the battlefield injuries. The diagnosis underscored the heavy toll borne by service members during prolonged and demanding operations.
In related regional updates, Valentin Ushakov, known for his work as a sound engineer on the TV series “Real Boys,” was reported to have passed away in the military operation zone. Public posts on VKontakte, including the community page Region 12, indicated that Ushakov volunteered for combat duties in September 2023, despite hesitation from family members who hoped he would reconsider his participation. His decision highlights the complex personal narratives that accompany military service in times of conflict.
Additional notices from the region confirmed the death of Ivan Denisov, a Russian master of sports in short-track speed skating, who perished while serving in the special military operations zone. Denisov’s passing was conveyed by regional authorities as part of ongoing casualty reports associated with the current military actions in the area.
Earlier developments from Lugansk were also noted, including the destruction of a vehicle associated with a former head of the People’s Militia of the Lugansk People’s Republic, a development that added to the broader pattern of security challenges in contested territories. These events collectively illustrate the high human cost of the conflict and the ways in which regional leadership communicates, memorializes, and supports those connected to the armed forces.