Heroes of Ukraine: Oleksandr Oksanchenko is an expert pilot who loves flying

The famous Ukrainian pilot fought against the Russian invasion in the airspace and died while diverting Russian aircraft over Kyiv on February 25, 2022. Posthumously he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star.

The celestial master is well known in the world, because he has repeatedly represented the Air Force of Ukraine at large-scale air shows. In particular, SIAF, The Royal International Air Tattoo, International Airshow-2017, Czech International Air Fest and many others.  The Czech Republic, Romania, Malta, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Belgium, Great Britain, and Denmark - he was known everywhere and was called one of the best fighter pilots in the world.

"It was a great honor for me to fly in the same area of ​​airspace, albeit a short time, as the Gray Wolf. He did for his country the most honorable and courageous deed that not everyone could do. I'm proud of him, my thoughts on his  family, his friends and his unit. I know that losing a friend is not an easy thing," said Ryan Bodenheimer, a U.S. Air Force veteran and well-known F16 Thunderbird fighter pilot.

The veteran of the US Air Force is convinced that thanks to Alexander Oksanchenko, whom he calls the Gray Wolf, millions of people have fallen in love with aviation and some of them will do everything necessary to repeat his legendary journey.

Colonel Oksanchenko, working as Deputy Commander for Flight Training and Pilot Instructor of the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, has educated many Ukrainian pilots. Skill and responsibility were synonymous with him, so he strictly controlled his wards, preparing a worthy professional change.

The legendary pilot in his arsenal had more than two thousand flight hours and many skillfully executed aerobatic figures.  During his life he received several other awards in his native Ukraine. In particular, the Medal 'For Military Service of Ukraine' (August 24, 2013) and the Order of Danylo Halytsky (August 5, 2016). As well as the title of Man of the Year in Myrhorod, where he was a deputy of the city council from November 2020.

Three months have passed since the pilot's death, but his name remains in the world community - foreign publications and videos are being made about Oksanchenko. Among them is a video from Polish aviation connoisseurs.