A memorial sign in honor of the hero pilot Nikita Kukonenko has been unveiled in Polotsk

Nikita Kukonenko was a graduate of the Polotsk Cadet School. He died at the age of 22 near Baranovichi while performing a training flight on a Yak-130. The aircraft suddenly lost control and began to fall towards a block of apartment buildings. Upon detecting system failures, the pilots were instructed to eject, but they decided to remain in the cockpit of the descending aircraft and steer it away from residential areas.

The event was attended by distinguished guests: Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko, Aide to the President – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region Sergey Levkovich, Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee Igor Markovich, Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee Igor Burmistrov, Bishop of Polotsk and Glubokoye Ignatiy, Chairman of the Republican Council of the Public Association "Belarusian Union of Suvorovets and Cadets" Sergey Zhitikhin, and Nikita Kukonenko's mother, Natalia Olegovna.

The new buildings of the Polotsk Cadet School are located on the territory of the Upper Castle and face the spiritual gem of the region – St. Sophia Cathedral. On this hallowed ground, the history and traditions of the Polotsk Cadet Corps are being revived and continued, said Igor Karpenko, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, who was present at the event:

– The monument we are unveiling today testifies that the tradition of honouring its graduates and heroes is being continued by modern generations of cadets. This monument is not only a tribute to the memory and respect for Nikita Kukonenko. It is also a symbol of courage, resilience, and the ability to sacrifice oneself for the lives of others. It is a symbol of high patriotism, of all those important civic-patriotic qualities that are instilled here, at the Polotsk Cadet School, and therefore, the history and traditions continue. I want to thank everyone who was involved in the idea of creating, implementing, and erecting this monument. Thank you to everyone who cares about the history of the Polotsk land, its famous countrymen, and all those who serve as a shining example of service to the Fatherland and the Belarusian people.

Sergey Levkovich, in turn, thanked everyone who participated in the creation of the memorial.

- Nikita and his comrade Andrey have inscribed their names in history forever. We hope that all the cadets of the school will remember Nikita's feat, – said Nikita Kukonenko's classmate Alexander Ulsiy.

Words were hardest for the hero's mother, Natalia Olegovna:

– I congratulate everyone on the opening of the memorial sign. Our family has been waiting for this event for a very long time. I thank everyone who took part in fundraising for the monument, everyone who helped it to appear. I look at the image created by the sculptor, and it is as if alive, conveying Nikita’s character exactly. Dear cadets, I appeal to you. Always strive for your goal, be confident in yourselves, love your Motherland, cherish life, and be proud of our heroes!

Vladyka Ignatius also addressed the attendees. He emphasized that people who are ready to give their lives for the love of their neighbor are always alive in God’s eyes.

- Be worthy of the memory of Heroes like Nikita Kukonenko, — the Bishop of Polotsk and Glubokoye concluded. …

A minute of silence – and fresh flowers were laid at the foot of the monument.

Paying tribute to the Hero of Belarus, the cadets marched in a ceremonial procession.

vitebsk-region.gov.by