Pilot officer Vasily Mulik told the story of the heroes of the army helicopter brigade who died on February 28 during a combat flight near Kiev. Among them - Alexander Grigoriev, pilot-navigator Vasily Gnatyuk, on-board aviation technician Dmitry Nesteruk.

" ) stuck nickname " That's what everyone called him: Schumacher. Or - "

We've known each other for twenty-two years. We studied together in our flight " Together we wound helicopter kilometers over the Liberian jungle and the Atlantic coast. Replaced each other in African rotation missions. Together we climbed in atosh-ooshnye * bnyah. And from the first day of a large-scale invasion - columns of blushing PRs burned out together.

We are close friends. More than friends. I baptized his son, he baptized my daughter.

Schumacher is a pro. Top notch professional. Talent. Instructor. He is one of the very few Ukrainian helicopter pilots who landed in the crater of the Nyamlagira volcano in the Congo,” Mulik wrote..

He said that Schumacher died on February 28 during a combat flight near Kiev..

" We worked as a couple, I am the leader, Schumacher is the follower. Suddenly, from behind the forest, they jumped out to the *bans and immediately tumbled them. But - and received in response - and strongly. Very much. Critically.

We were already retreating - albeit both significantly damaged, but - on courage, on adrenaline - merrily growled to each other on the air:! " And I couldn't get through to him.. And I couldn't find its board,"

Grigoriev is survived by his wife and son.. The crew died with him: pilot-navigator Vasily Gnatyuk, on-board aviation technician Dmitry Nesteruk.

" Although no - not " I was not alone,"

Today the crew of Alexander Grigoriev was buried in Brody.

" Crew. Forever and ever. Eternal flight, brother,” wrote his colleague.