"For you, Russia, I have laid down my life": military medic Artem Sugrobov was awarded the Order of Courage.

      On April 28, 2026, 14:33 Society Two days before the start of the special military operation, Artyom Sugrobov, a former hockey player and student at the Police Academy, wrote a poem in which he expressed his love for his homeland and his readiness to give his life for it. A year later, he signed a contract and went to the front lines as a medic.

      "For you, Russia, I laid down my life.

      I loved you, dear, like no one else.

      For you, my native, I spared myself not.

      And I died, defending, and served only you."

      At the age of 19, Artyom became one of the youngest senior evacuation group members in the history of the special military operation, making over 500 successful sorties. For his merits, he was posthumously awarded the medal "For Saving the Perishing" and the Order of Courage.

      As reported by "KP-Petersburg," Artyom was born in 2004 into a simple family in the Urals. His mother was a doctor, and his father was an engineer. The Sugrobov family had participants in military actions. From childhood, Artyom was fascinated by military history, and after moving to St. Petersburg in 2014, he visited all the military museums.

      Hockey became another passion for Artyom. He started playing at the age of four. At one of the VHL matches, he saw the game for the first time and was enchanted. His parents recall how he stood by the boards, captivated, throughout all three periods. After that, he was bought a stick and skates.

      In hockey, Artyom achieved significant success within the SKA structure. He became a defender and never missed a training session. He had over 20 medals for victories and three statuettes for best player. After finishing school, the young man decided that he could not become a professional hockey player and left the club. While studying at the Police Academy, he received a summons for military service and became eager to become an officer.

      Artyom's parents did not learn right away that he had signed a contract. He did not want to worry them. However, the decision to serve was well-considered: he wanted to be of use to the country. He was assigned to the Kharkov direction.

      Artyom began his service in the assault troops but was soon transferred to communications. He had to search for torn communication cables in mined fields and carry rolls of wire weighing up to 10 kg. The private showed such a desire to be useful that at night he helped in the medical station and participated in the evacuation of the wounded. There, he was taught first aid. Evaluating his abilities, he was offered to become a medic and work in evacuation on a permanent basis.

      In the medical station, queues formed for him, as he carefully made dressings and injections. He always encouraged patients and joked. In the dugouts, he could cook borscht or Jewish salad.

      Together with his partner Valera, Artyom asked for chevrons from the rescued fighters as a gift—for luck. The mother of the fighter, Oksana, recalls that in a few months he transformed from a boy into a man, often being a hair's breadth from death. He helped wounded Ukrainians before handing them over as prisoners, believing that they were also human. He only took up arms to fend off drones.

      Artyom's call sign was "Sugrob," but the fighters called him "Maly." He was not only the soul of the team but also an example for everyone. Once, he helped a 130-kilogram fighter to stand up and continue on despite the shelling.

      In April 2024, Artyom had his last evacuation. He and his partner with the driver saved three wounded, but a drone flew into the passenger seat. Artyom shielded the driver, taking the full impact on himself. He survived but sustained serious injuries. He was evacuated to a hospital in Moscow, where he spent his last days next to his mother.

      Artyom's commander later reported that he had over 500 successful evacuations, saving about a thousand lives. The fighter worked without remarks, quickly and clearly, offering rational solutions to complex tasks, and always helped his comrades.

      The hero was buried at the St. Petersburg Cemetery of the Victims of January 9. His friends, classmates, and relatives often visit, leaving letters, flowers, photographs, and cigarettes. The school where he studied also carefully preserves the memory of Artyom. Moreover, in his honor, an annual hockey tournament among youth is held in Orsk.

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