Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Zhybrov posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine

Presidential decree on the pilot's award

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree posthumously conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star on Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Zhybrov. The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced this on Tuesday, 20 October.

Oleksandr Zhybrov served as the squadron commander of the 299th Brigade. His act of heroism took place on the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion, when he decided to steer his damaged aircraft into a column of occupiers.

Battle course of 24 February 2022

On 24 February 2022, Oleksandr Zhybrov was among the first to take off in his Su-25. During the battle, he destroyed part of the enemy column advancing from Crimea, thereby halting the opponent's offensive.

After the aircraft was hit, the pilot assessed the situation: there was no longer any possibility of ejecting or reaching his own airfield. He then steered the burning machine towards the occupiers.

The mentor's legacy

Oleksandr Zhybrov's main legacy is an entire generation of Ukrainian aces he trained. Among his students were future Heroes of Ukraine: Rostyslav Lazarenko, Danylo Murashko, Vadym Blahovisny, and Yehor Seredyuk.

«За цією молоддю наше майбутнє» ("Our future lies with this youth"), Oleksandr Zhybrov used to say. He did not live to see the day when his protégés received the highest state awards, yet it was he who helped them become brave and devoted defenders of Ukraine.

His last words to his wife and daughter were: «Я захищатиму вас і всіх українців» ("I will protect you and all Ukrainians").