Senior Lieutenant Viktor Sushkov was killed on March 20, 2022, while defending the city of Okhtyrka in Sumy region. He was 30 years old.
Viktor was born in Yenakiieve. He earned his master’s degree at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University, specializing in “Armaments and Military Equipment.”
Outside of service, he was passionate about sports and technology. He was a prize-winner at local and national CrossFit competitions. In 2017, Viktor won bronze at the 2nd All-Ukrainian Armed Forces Functional Fitness Championship and took first place in the CrossFit competition among Kharkiv law enforcement and security structures.
After Russia’s invasion in 2014, he consciously chose the military path. He served in one of the military units in Dnipropetrovsk region and took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation. His call sign was Sukhar.
After February 24, 2022, Viktor once again stood up to defend his homeland. He served as commander of the control platoon of the 1039th Separate Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the Air Defense of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. He defended the city of Okhtyrka in Sumy region during the fiercest battles.
On March 20, 2022, Senior Lieutenant Sushkov fired at a Russian aircraft but did not bring it down. Two hours later, enemy aircraft returned. Viktor could not target them — communication failed, and he did not have time to receive authorization to launch the missile. He was killed together with his brothers-in-arms.
“Vitya was a very kind and dedicated man. He mastered the Osa air defense system perfectly, one of the best in his course. In life, he was sincere, genuine, confident, and easily won people’s hearts. He was always smiling. We were married for only nine months, but I’m sure that was the happiest time in both his and my life. He cherished his family deeply. Vitya dreamed of having children — that was his greatest wish. In his last days, he said he would return home only with victory,” recalled his wife, Iryna Sushkova.
The defender was laid to rest in Poltava region.
Viktor is survived only by his wife.
At 9:00 a.m. — the national moment of silence. The Donetsk Regional State Administration and the Memorial to Heroes platform honor the fallen defenders from Donetsk region.