Senior Lieutenant Vyacheslav Radionov, Fighter Pilot

November 26, 2023February 26, 2026

His name was Vyacheslav Radionov. It was his actions that allowed Kyiv to defend itself against uncontrolled bombing by Russian aviation in the first days of the war — saving hundreds, possibly thousands of lives. On February 24, 2022, he gave his life to save virtually the entire aircraft fleet at the Vasylkiv airbase.

He was only 25.

The moment the country woke up to explosions, he acted — fast, cold-blooded, professional. Under missile strikes, he got his brigade’s aircraft into the air from Vasylkiv, effectively pulling them out from under the attack.
Vyacheslav was born in Zaporizhzhia. He studied at the Zaporizhzhia Regional Boarding Lyceum “Zakhysnyk” (Defender), then graduated from the Kharkiv National University of Air Force of Ukraine named after Ivan Kozhedub. The sky wasn’t just a profession for him — it was a conscious choice, a calling. Serving Ukraine meant living with honor.

His sister Anastasia recalled that Vyacheslav always lived aviation. Since childhood, every conversation was only about planes. He was seriously into aeromodelling and even became Ukrainian champion in the sport several times. She remembered one story in particular: at 11, Vyacheslav ended up in hospital with appendicitis and asked the doctors whether he’d still be able to fly after the surgery. The doctor jokingly said no — and Vyacheslav announced he was refusing the operation.

February 24, 2022. Minutes That Changed Everything

Senior Lieutenant Radionov served in the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade in Kyiv Oblast. When the airbase came under missile strike at dawn on February 24, every minute counted. During the first enemy air attack on the military airfield, Vyacheslav was the first to get his aircraft airborne — covering the organization of combat flights and the takeoff of other pilots. He preserved his unit’s combat strength at the cost of his own life.

Despite the lethal danger, thanks to his decisive and professional actions, the brigade’s entire aircraft fleet got off the ground at Vasylkiv. Those aircraft later became part of Kyiv’s defense — destroying at least seven enemy planes in the first days and preventing large-scale destruction of the capital.

Vyacheslav Radionov did not survive. His body was found by local residents and handed over to a chaplain. In February he was quietly buried with the help of Vasylkiv veterans and members of a volunteer territorial defense unit. On November 24, 2022, Vyacheslav was reburied at the Heroes’ Alley of Vasylkiv Cemetery, alongside his fellow pilots. For his courage, self-sacrifice, and dedication to the state, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

A Name That Stays

His name is a symbol of the silence before takeoff and the courage before danger. Vyacheslav Radionov left behind not only the memory of a feat, but an example of true officer’s honor. He did everything he could — and more.

Today his story reminds us: heroism is not born from loud words. It comes from decisions made in a critical moment. And as long as Ukrainian aircraft fly in the Ukrainian sky — part of his courage flies with them.