Colonel Oleksandr “Grey Wolf” Oksanchenko who was the Ukrainian Air Force Flanker display pilot between 2013-2018 has lost his life on Friday night when his jet was shot down over Kyiv by Russian air defences.
Ukrainian Colonel Oleksandr Oksanchenko, the Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker display pilot between 2013-2018 was killed in an air battle. President Volodymyr Zelensky posthumously awarded the soldier with the title of Hero of Ukraine, the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced on Facebook.
According to Perild.com, Oksanchenko died in battle, diverting enemy aircraft.
“Colonel Oleksandr Oksanchenko, now a Hero of Ukraine, died in an air battle, distracting enemy aircraft… It’s a pity that he didn’t receive the Hero of Ukraine during his lifetime, because he was worth it… He is a Hero for me forever. Forever alive”, Lana Borisova wrote on Facebook.
According to the Telegram channel Operational APU Oksanchenko had more than two thousand flight hours and flawless performance of the most difficult elements of aerobatics.
He became famous after triumphant flights at the SIAF air show, The Royal International Air Tattoo, International Airshow-2017, Czech International Air Fest.
“His handwriting and style of performing aerobatics are now known to the whole world. Colonel Alexander Oksanchenko is rightfully considered one of the best aerobatic pilots of combat aircraft,” the report says.
The sad news confirmed by European Airshows Facebook Page, that wrote;
‘We have received some extremely shocking and sad news from Ukraine this morning.
‘Colonel Oleksandr “Grey Wolf” Oksanchenko who was the Ukrainian Air Force Flanker display pilot between 2013-2018 has lost his life on Friday night when his jet was shot down over Kyiv by Russian air defences.
‘Col. Oksanchenko was not only a very experienced pilot who won a number of awards for the best flying display at many events across Europe, but he was also a true fan of airshows. Despite leaving the active service and joining the reserves in late 2018 he volunteered to remain in the Ukrainian Flanker Solo Display Team as a coach/advisor and travelled with the team during the 2019 display season which was also the last airshow season for the team.
‘He came out of retirement to defend his country from the Russian invasion and paid the highest price. Col. Oksanchenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine by the president of the Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
‘Blue skies sir and thank you for all your amazing displays!’
H/T: Christian Nentwig
Photo credit: facebook.com/borisovalana888
