Mini-Exhibition Commemorates Hero of Ukraine Mykhailo Matiushenko
The National Museum of the History of Ukraine has launched a small-scale memorial exhibition dedicated to Mykhailo Matiushenko, a decorated pilot and Hero of Ukraine. Matiushenko led a group of aviators from the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade—widely known as the 'Ghosts of Kyiv.' The display centers on personal effects donated by his wife, Larysa Matiushenko. He was killed in action on June 26, 2022, during a combat mission over the Black Sea, and posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine in 2023. This exhibition offers visitors a tangible connection to the man behind the legendary wartime nickname.
Exhibition Highlights
Key items on display include:
- a winter flight suit (quilted jacket and trousers)
- a leather jacket
- a flight equipment case
- various technical instruments used by the pilot
Both the winter flight suit and leather jacket were gifted by Matiushenko to his friend Mykhailo Saianyi in late 2021. Larysa Matiushenko has also temporarily loaned the 'Golden Star of the Hero of the Ukrainian People'—a civilian award of national honor—to the museum for the exhibition.
Matiushenko, whose call sign was 'Did' (Grandfather), died when his aircraft was struck by enemy air defenses near Snake Island. This occurred after his crew had successfully destroyed a Russian Pantsir surface-to-air missile and gun system.
Larysa Matiushenko remembers her husband: 'He was cheerful and spirited, but never reckless.'
In 2023, Colonel Mykhailo Matiushenko was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine along with the Order of the Golden Star. The mini-exhibition at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine serves as a tribute to his life, service, and sacrifice for the nation.
This exhibition represents an important effort to preserve the memory of Ukrainian soldiers’ heroism in the fight for national independence. Beyond honoring Matiushenko, it underscores the broader significance of individual contributions in resisting aggression. Such initiatives help shape the nation’s collective memory and reinforce a spirit of patriotism among citizens.