Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians honor the memory of those who died in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Today, we remember the Hero of Ukraine Denis Badika.
Denis Badika was a navigator of a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter and died on March 31, 2022, near Mariupol while trying to rescue wounded soldiers. This young officer was born in Vinnytsia and always dreamed of serving in aviation. Denis graduated from the Kharkiv University of the Air Forces and connected his career to this chosen field.
He was noted as a responsible and experienced pilot who was assigned to Kyiv region and performed dangerous missions on Mi-8. Known for his courage and dedication, he became part of the 16th separate aviation brigade.
“He called me just before his last flight. My son didn’t say what was planned, but he instructed whom to call and what to do if he had not been in touch for more than a day. I felt a chill run down my spine. But my son calmed me, assured me that it was just in case. And a day later, I learned from the internet that the Russian troops shot down a helicopter near Mariupol,” said the hero's father, Mikhail Badika.
During an enemy rocket attack near Mariupol, two other crew members died alongside Denis Badika. After a long period of being missing, Denis was buried in Vinnytsia at the Alley of Glory of the Sabariv Cemetery.
On September 30, 2024, Denis Badika was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine for his heroism and dedication. We honor all fallen Ukrainian defenders and pay special tribute to the memory of Hero Denis Badika, who gave his life for the freedom of his country.
In this story about Denis Badika, we see the sacrifice and dedication of the military service of Ukrainian defenders who give their lives for the freedom and independence of the country. This news serves as another reminder of the heroism and self-sacrifice of our servicemen during the years of war with Russia. We honor their memory and the memory of all fallen warriors.