The President of Ukraine has conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the “Gold Star” order on Air Force pilot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksii Zhded, a graduate of the Lviv State Lycée with Enhanced Military and Physical Training named after the Heroes of Kruty.
Oleksii Zhded graduated from the lycée in 2014 and is currently serving as a pilot with the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He has become the ninth graduate of this educational institution to be awarded the country’s highest state honour.
It is noted that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the serviceman has carried out more than 300 combat sorties in fighter aircraft and destroyed over 100 enemy targets.
For his courage, professionalism and loyalty to the oath, Oleksii Zhded had earlier been decorated with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 2nd and 3rd Class, as well as the Orders “For Courage”, 2nd and 3rd Class.