Activist, blogger.
Born on March 20, 1995, in the village of Sadove, Odesa Oblast, Ukraine
Education
In 2016, he graduated from the Odesa College of Economics, Law, and Hotel and Restaurant Business with a major in "Jurisprudence" and earned the qualification of Associate Specialist in Law.
In 2019, he graduated from Odessa National University named after I. I. Mechnikov with a degree in "Jurisprudence."
In 2022, he completed his master’s degree at the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in “International Law.”
Career
Until 2014, Sternenko was involved in "promoting" and managing public pages on social media, and also served as an administrator for several such groups. Additionally, during this time, Serhiy attempted to launch a career as a hip-hop artist, recording songs in Russian under the pseudonym MC Esdabes.
In late 2013, during the Euromaidan, 18-year-old Serhiy Sternenko joined the activist community in Odesa, quickly became one of the leaders of the local “Right Sector” chapter, and took its helm in 2014. He claimed that after the Maidan, he worked to counter pro-Russian movements in Odesa, participated in the events of May 2, 2014, and later asserted that he had rescued people from the Trade Union House at that time.
Under his leadership, the Odessa “Right Sector” carried out “people’s lustrations,” disrupted concerts by artists considered supporters of the occupation, organized protests against illegal construction projects, and waged a “war on drug dens,” which at times led to clashes with law enforcement. At the time, local media reported that under the guise of this “fight,” Sternenko was carrying out orders from criminal groups to redistribute spheres of influence in the drug trade by attacking competitors.
Sternenko also collaborated with law enforcement agencies and was involved in a scheme to bring criminal charges against Igor Bychkov (the chief physician of the Rozdilna Central District Hospital, who was caught taking bribes and sentenced to five years in prison). In addition, he facilitated the conviction of Valentin Dubovenko (who was involved in corruption schemes and abuse of office).
In 2015, Sternenko was one of the organizers of the “March in Support of Political Prisoners” for Andriy Medvedko and Denys Polischuk, who were accused of murdering journalist Oles Buzyna.
In 2017, Sternenko left the “Right Sector,” citing the organization’s stagnation, and described himself as “right-wing with liberal views on the economy.”
He then focused on media and volunteer work. He maintained an active presence on social media and YouTube, where he posts videos criticizing Russian aggression and pro-Russian figures in Ukraine, as well as content on corruption and security issues.
He was among the organizers of the “Avakov – Devil” protest in Kyiv outside the Office of the President of Ukraine (2019).
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, he has been engaged in extensive volunteer work, including fundraising for drones, communications equipment, and other gear for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
On January 22, 2026, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov appointed Sternenko as a special advisor on increasing the use of UAVs on the front lines.
Attacks
Between February and May 2018, Serhiy Sternenko was the victim of three attacks in Odesa, which are included in the so-called “Handziuk List.”
The first attack took place on February 7, 2018—near the building where the activist lived. According to the description, two unknown men were waiting for him in the building’s entrance, attacked and beat him, after which Sternenko spent a week in the hospital. Sternenko appealed to the police to provide state security, but his request was denied.
The second attack took place on May 1, 2018. Sternenko was shot with a non-lethal pistol; the attacker was detained at the scene and identified as Abzal Baikumashev. The third attack occurred on May 24, 2018—during the altercation, one of the attackers, Ivan Kuznetsov, sustained stab wounds and died; the other, Oleksandr Isaykul, fled, was detained, but, according to the description provided, later testified as a witness in the case and left Ukraine. The investigation later established that Sternenko killed the man by catching up to him after the altercation and stabbing him in the heart with his own knife; in other words, this was not a case of self-defense.
On May 1, 2025, Sternenko was wounded by a firearm, and the suspect was placed in pretrial detention. At the time, many questioned the SBU’s official version regarding a Russian connection and speculated that the attack on the activist had been “staged.” The attacker herself confessed to working for the FSB of the Russian Federation.
Criminal Proceedings
Over the years, Serhiy Sternenko has been involved in a number of criminal proceedings. In September 2015, law enforcement opened a case on suspicion of the kidnapping in the spring of 2015 of Serhiy Shcherbych, a deputy of the Kominternivskyi District Council of the Odesa region. Sternenko was charged with kidnapping, causing bodily harm, and the motive of embezzlement; after his arrest, he was released from pretrial detention on bail.
On February 23, 2021, the trial court handed down a verdict in this case—7 years and 3 months of imprisonment with the confiscation of part of his property. The decision was subsequently reviewed on appeal: on May 31, 2021, the appellate court upheld the guilty verdict on certain charges and imposed a sentence of three years’ imprisonment, with one year of that term suspended. In 2022, the Court of Cassation overturned the lower courts’ decisions regarding one of the charges related to Article 263 of the Criminal Code (Illegal Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, or Explosives), while upholding the ruling regarding Article 146 (“kidnapping”), after which Sternenko announced his intention to appeal to the ECHR.
Separately, in June 2020, Sternenko was notified of charges under Part 1 of Article 115 (intentional homicide) and Part 2 of Article 263 (carrying a cold weapon without a permit) in a case related to the events of May 24, 2018, during an attack on him in Odesa. Sternenko himself insisted that he acted in self-defense and contested certain statements made publicly regarding the matter. As of February 9, 2026, no verdict has been issued in the case.
Political Views
In 2015, Sternenko sharply criticized Petro Poroshenko and compared him to Yanukovych.
“Poroshenko’s regime has put even more people behind bars than Viktor Yanukovych’s gangster regime did in its time,” the activist stated publicly.
Sternenko also criticized Volodymyr Zelenskyy and drew parallels with Yanukovych, calling the president a “budding dictator who will end up worse than Yanukovych.” However, he later revised his views and joined Zelenskyy’s team, becoming an advisor to Fedorov. In January 2026, Sternenko also visited Zelenskyy at the Office of the President.
Military Service
On February 24, 2022, when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Sternenko announced that he had joined the “Honor” unit within the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In March–April 2022, Sternenko also filmed a documentary about his service as an artilleryman in the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade and his defense of Kyiv. During that period, the activist also posted numerous photos on social media showing him in camouflage and carrying weapons.
However, the information about his service was not confirmed. Moreover, in 2024, the Primorsky District Military Registration and Enlistment Office in Odesa fined Serhiy Sternenko for failing to report for duty, i.e., draft evasion. According to the decision by the Primorsky Military Registration and Enlistment Office in Odessa imposing a fine on Serhiy Sternenko, the volunteer failed to report as summoned and was designated by the office as a violator of military registration requirements. The activist was even placed on a wanted list. Subsequently, Sternenko paid the fine and underwent a medical examination, which determined that the activist could not be mobilized due to poor eyesight.
This story caused a major public outcry. Former MP and military officer Nadiya Savchenko called Sternenko a “professional draft dodger,” while linguist Iryna Farion called the activist a “Soros clown” and noted that they (the Sorosites) “undermine Ukrainian society.”
Scandals
In addition to scandals involving criminal proceedings and fake military service, Sternenko was also accused of misusing the donations he collects. For example, MP Goncharenko accused Sternenko of spending donations on expensive organic cotton clothing. Sternenko was also accused of driving a luxury car and living in an upscale neighborhood of Kyiv.
Family
Father – Vyacheslav Sternenko. Former border guard
Mother (name not specified in open sources) – teacher.
Younger brother – Yaroslav.
Fiancée – Natalia Usatenko. In October 2024, Sternenko announced his engagement to Natalia Usatenko. It is known that Usatenko previously worked at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, in the press service of Uliana Suprun. Also, according to media reports, Usatenko’s parents continue to live in Horlivka (Donetsk Oblast), which is temporarily occupied by Russia.
Natalia Usatenko and Serhiy Sternenko. Photo: Instagram
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