Serhiy MEKHEDA

Serhiy was born on September 22, 1981, in Kremenchuk, Poltava region. He studied at the Kremenchuk Flight College. He dedicated over 19 years to the railway, working as a 5th-grade wagon inspector and repairman at the "Kremenchuk Wagon Depot."

Friends and colleagues knew him as a calm, kind, attentive, and sincere person. He was a good family man, dreamed of fishing in retirement (he cleared a pond near his home and stocked it with fish), worked on cars, and raised pigeons.

Serhiy served in the military starting July 21, 2015. In May 2016, he signed a contract and served as a captain and helicopter pilot navigator in the helicopter squadron. Remaining true to his military oath, he demonstrated resilience and courage while defending his homeland.

Captain, helicopter pilot navigator Serhiy Oleksandrovych Mekheda died on June 16, 2022 (the date is approximate, as it was reported between June 15 and 16) as a result of shelling and the crash of an MI-8 MT aircraft during combat operations.

Serhiy was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the II degree and the badge "For Loyalty to the People of Ukraine" of the I degree.

Serhiy Oleksandrovych is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.

The team at the Kremenchuk Wagon Depot of the regional branch "Southern Railway" of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" mourns the irreparable loss. This responsible inspector-repairman with nearly 20 years of experience, who had hobbies of peaceful life, became a combat captain. His valor, courage, and sacrifice were recognized with the high Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi of the II degree. A low bow for his bravery. Eternal memory to the hero!