Viktor Vasilyevich Seryogin (Russian: Виктор Васильевич Серёгин, Azerbaijani: Viktor Vasilyeviç Seryogin) (23 March 1944 in Tbilisi – 28 January 1992 in Shusha) was the National Hero of Azerbaijan and warrior during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.[1]
Viktor Vasilyevich Seryogin | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Виктор Васильевич Серёгин |
| Born | 23 March 1944 Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 28 January 1992 (aged 47) Shusha, Azerbaijan |
| Allegiance |  Azerbaijan |
| Service |  Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force |
| Years of service | 1991-1992 |
| Battles / wars | First Nagorno-Karabakh War |
| Awards | National Hero of Azerbaijan 1992  |
Early life and education
editSeryogin was born on 23 March 1944 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union. After completing his education at the Keremenchug Aviation School in 1986, he was appointed the pilot of Mi-2 helicopter of Zabrat separate aviation team. He made a great contribution in establishing the Azerbaijani Air Force. Seryogin was awarded the Medal "Veteran of Labour" and named the Best Pilot.[2]
Personal life
editSeryogin was married and had two children.[2] Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the family of Seryogin, who lived in Kharkiv, were evacuated to Azerbaijan. According to his daughter Oksana, she was immediately evacuated to Chișinău, Moldova with he help of a member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, a member of the Azeri diaspora in Kyiv and the Azeri ambassador to Moldova.[3]
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
editWhen the First Nagorno-Karabakh War started,[4] Seryogin was appointed to the front-line. He participated in many flights to the war zone of Nagorno Karabakh and border regions of Azerbaijan. His helicopter was severely attacked and damaged by Armenian soldiers many times during his flights. The crew of the helicopter repaired it under the attacks of Armenian armed forces and continued to fulfill their assignments.
On 28 January 1992 the Azerbaijani transport helicopter Mil Mi-8 was reportedly shot down by Armenians near the town of Shusha.[5] Seryogin flew the burning helicopter away from the residential area.[1] As a result he was tragically killed together with the whole crew and passengers on the board.[6]
Honors
editViktor Vasilyevich Seryogin was posthumously awarded the title of the "National Hero of Azerbaijan" by Presidential Decree No. 337 dated 25 November 1992.[1]
He was buried at a Martyrs' Lane cemetery in Baku.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "National heroes". swhs.az. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ a b c "SERYOGİN Viktor Vasilyeviç". Avciya.az (in Azerbaijani). Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ^ "Azərbaycanın Milli Qəhrəmanı Viktor Seryoginin qızı: Prezident İlham Əliyev bu çətin dövrdə də ailəmizin yanında oldu". azertag.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2023-01-03.
- ^ "1993 UN Security Council Resolutions on Nagorno-Karabakh". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ^ 28 января 1992 года. Армянские террористы вблизи города Шуша сбили гражданский вертолет «МИ-8», выполнявший рейсы по маршруту «Агдам-Шуша», в результате погибло 44 человека, среди которых, в основном, женщины и дети
- ^ "Ermənilərin Şuşada içərisində qadın və uşaqlar olan vertolyotu vurmasından 23 il ötür" (in Azerbaijani). az.apa.az. 28 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-01-31. Retrieved 2015-01-28.
Further reading
edit- Vüqar Əsgərov. Azərbaycanın Milli Qəhrəmanları (kitab)|"Azərbaycanın Milli Qəhrəmanları" (Yenidən işlənmiş II nəşr). Bakı: "Dərələyəz-M", 2010, səh. 256.