Career
Kovalenko made his professional debut in the Ukrainian Second League in 1993 for Football Club Metalurh Kostyantynivka. After his initial professional stint he played for different Ukrainian Premier League clubs. Kovalenko played four matches for the Ukraine national under-21 football team in 1997.
After retiring as a football player, Kovalenko worked as a football referee.
On 21 December 2010, Kovalenko committed suicide by jumping from his apartment.