KYIV — Senior Sergeant Dmytro Kantser, a Ukrainian marine, was killed in combat on March 9, 2022, near the village of Nova Karakuba in the Donetsk region while defending Ukraine against Russian forces.
Kantser and his fellow soldiers were repelling an enemy assault when he died in an unequal battle, still holding his rifle. The defender was 34 years old.
From Kherson region to the front line
Dmytro Kantser was born on March 10, 1987, in the village of Chornobaivka in Ukraine’s Kherson region. He studied construction at Kherson Vocational School No. 2. As a child he enjoyed dancing, and later in his youth he played football, serving as a goalkeeper for the local club FC Shans.
“Dima graduated from the vocational school with honors, and they invited him to stay and work there as an instructor,” his mother Tetiana Hryhorivna recalled. “Teachers also encouraged him to continue studying construction, but my son chose the army. He said: ‘I want to serve.’”
A dream of the sea
In 2007 Kantser completed his compulsory military service in Sevastopol, where he developed a deep love for the sea and remembered his childhood dream of becoming a sailor.
After demobilization, he enrolled in the Professional Maritime Lyceum of the Kherson State Maritime Academy, later continuing at the academy’s maritime college, where he trained as a navigator. During his studies he also worked as a motor operator on a boat traveling along the Dnipro River.
War service
His maritime career was interrupted in 2014, when he was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine.
In 2017 Kantser signed a contract with the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion, where he served as a sniper company commander. He was stationed in Mariupol and took part in multiple deployments in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“His fellow soldiers said my son was genuine in everything — kind, brave and courageous,” his mother said. “He had high professional and human qualities, a sincere heart and a strong spirit.”
Final days
Kantser was already serving when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. He continued defending Ukraine from Russian forces.
“Dima was very caring,” his mother said. “Just before the invasion he really wanted to come home, but he couldn’t leave his comrades because the fighting continued.”
She last heard his voice on February 26. Their final message exchange came on March 5.
“He wrote: ‘Everything is fine here, they are retreating.’ After that there was no contact.”
Honors and memory
For his service, Kantser received numerous military honors, including a presidential watch and decorations such as Participant of the ATO, For Exemplary Service, Defender of the Fatherland, and awards recognizing the defense of Mariupol.
After his death, he was awarded the Order for Courage, 3rd Class, and named Honorary Citizen of Chornobaivka. His portrait now stands on the Alley of Heroes in his hometown.