Yesterday, in the 4th State aviation training and testing centre of the Russian Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces Colonel General Viktor Bondarev has handed over the Gold Star medal of the Hero of Russia, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, the pilot killed in Syria during task performance, to the spouse.

 “Accept my sincere condolences, – said Viktor Bondarev. – We share your sorrow and grieve with your family. Your husband has always been and remains the patriot and the Hero of this country. His name is written forever in the history of Russia, the Russian Army and the Aerospace Forces of this country.”

Upon the request of the relatives of the Hero, the officer will be buried in the city of Lipetsk on December 2.

According to the Decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov was awarded the honorary title of the Hero of the Russian Federation for heroism, courage and bravery shown during fulfillment of the military duty (posthumously).