In the spring of 2014, the Donetsk region found itself at the epicenter of turbulent events: for the first time, Russia—having shed its mask as a friendly neighbor—began seizing Ukrainian territory using pro-Russian mercenaries and, later, its regular army. Numerous settlements found themselves under occupation. As early as May, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with volunteer battalions, began liberating settlements in the region. Today, it is important to preserve the memory of the Heroes who bravely stood up to defend Ukraine from the very first days of the war and who have paid—and continue to pay—an exorbitant price for our freedom.
On June 6, an An-30B reconnaissance aircraft, piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Kostyantyn Mohylko, was photographing the area above the city of Sloviansk. There were eight people on board.
At around 5:00 p.m., at a seemingly safe altitude of 4,050 meters, the aircraft was struck by a missile fired by Russian terrorists from a portable surface-to-air missile system: it hit the right engine, and a fire broke out.
According to accounts from the surviving crew members, flight photographer Serhiy Kaminsky was killed instantly by the explosion. Commander Kostyantyn Mohylko ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.
The first to leave the aircraft were Lieutenants Kirill Kramarev and Vasily Polazhynets, along with navigation instructor Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Nikolaev. Vladimir Momot was the last to jump, but he did not survive: the altitude was less than half a kilometer, and there was not enough time for his parachute to open.
Flight engineer Captain Pavlo Drishlyuk and mechanic Oleksiy Potapenko, along with Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kostyantyn Mohylko, remained on board to steer the aircraft out of the city and prevent civilian casualties. The aircraft crashed near the village of Pryshyb, north of Sloviansk.
By Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 543/2014 of June 20, 2014, “On Awarding State Honors of Ukraine,” for personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, loyalty to the military oath, and unbreakable spirit, the following were awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd Class: Major Serhiy Kaminsky (posthumously), Captain Pavlo Dryshlyuk (posthumously), and Warrant Officers Oleksiy Potapenko (posthumously) and Volodymyr Momot (posthumously). The Order “For Courage” of the 3rd Class was awarded to: Lieutenant Colonel Serhiy Nikolaev and Lieutenant Vasyl Polazhynets.
By Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 545/2014 of June 20, 2014, “On Conferring the Title of Hero of Ukraine on K. Mogilko the title of Hero of Ukraine,” for exceptional courage and heroism, unbreakable spirit in the struggle for an independent Ukrainian state, and loyalty to the military oath, Lieutenant Colonel Kostyantyn Mogilko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine along with the Order of the “Golden Star.”
By Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 587/2014 of June 20, 2014, “On the Awarding of State Awards of Ukraine,” Lieutenant Kirill Kramarev was awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree for personal courage and heroism demonstrated in the defense of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The names of these Heroes will forever remain in the memory of Ukrainians, always symbolizing honor, dignity, courage, and duty. These servicemen died while carrying out a combat mission, doing everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.