Valentyn Korenchuk, a Ukrainian combat pilot who downed a Russian attack aircraft near Kyiv and helped inspire the legend of the "Ghost of Kyiv," a symbol of resistance that gained global recognition, was laid to rest after being killed in action.
Kyiv Holds Memorial For One Of Its 'Ghost Of Kyiv' Combat Pilots
Soldiers raise the Ukrainian flag during a farewell ceremony held at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on June 18 for Colonel Valentyn Korenchuk, a combat pilot -- and one of the "Ghosts of Kyiv" -- who was killed in April during a mission.
Relatives, friends, and comrades pay tribute to the 48-year-old Korenchuk, who served with the 40th Air Brigade.
Korenchuk was one of the first pilots to take to the skies at the start of a full-scale invasion to defend Kyiv. He was awarded the state Order of Courage (III Class) and helped inspire the legend of the "Ghost of Kyiv," a symbol of resistance that gained global recognition.
The Ukrainian Air Force noted that Korenchuk spent an estimated 300 hours in the sky and made more than 80 sorties.
Ukrainian soldiers carry a portrait of the deceased pilot through the streets of Kyiv.
Korenchuk's casket arrives at Independence Square.
Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, head of Ukraine's Central Air Command, told RFE/RL: "Today we said goodbye to our comrade in arms, to an ace pilot, a true patriot. A person who lived in the sky."
"From the first days of open armed aggression, he made combat sorties together with his comrades. They did something incredible at that time, despite the superiority in the number of equipment and the quality of the enemy's weapons. And thanks to successful actions, we managed to protect the sky of Kyiv," Kryvonozhko said.
"I'm sure books and films will be written about people like him and his brothers. He will forever remain in the history of Ukraine, as an indomitable defender and as an air ace," Kryvonozhko added.
Korenchuk was buried at the Lukyanivske Military Cemetery in Kyiv.