Biography
Viktor Kovalenko was born in April 1957 in Voznesenka, Altai Territory, the third of five children. From childhood, Viktor loved sports: soccer, volleyball, skiing and running. After military service, he worked as a driver for almost his entire life. He is now retired. He spent most of his life in Slavgorod. He and his wife, Valentina, have been together for nearly half a century.
Viktor first heard about God during childhood from his parents. In 1993, he began studying the Bible together with his wife and children. He compared facts from the Bible with events in modern history and concluded that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled. Two years later, Viktor became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Valentina shares her husband's views.
Viktor has always tried to abide by the law, nevertheless a criminal case has been initiated against him — he has been charged with extremism for his religious beliefs. The believer faced pressure from law enforcement agencies. He was hospitalized with a heart attack; an investigator came to the hospital, threatened the elderly man with remand in custody, and forced him to sign a document confirming that he reviewed the case materials.
His family remains a source of support for Viktor during these difficult times.