Photo: Ministry of Defense Press Service
Russian Defense Ministry helped restore justice in relation to the Soviet military pilot Paščenko, who died in 1945 in a battle with the Nazis near Czech Brno. At the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense, she was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia by decree of the President of the Russian Federation. On November 17, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defense to present the pilot's award to her nephew Viktor Pashchenko. The award was presented by Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. He told how the pilot perished in the battle with the Nazis. On April 19, 1945, a light bomber A-20 “Boston” (such as the United States delivered to the Soviet Air Force for Lend-Lease) flew on a combat mission to the city of Brno. Vasilisa Pashchenko was a radio operator. The plane came under anti-aircraft fire. The commander ordered to leave the plane, over the territory controlled by Soviet troops, he managed only the navigator. Pashchenko and the commander made an emergency landing. The commander was killed. Vasilisa miraculously survived. Without leaving the machine gun tower, she opened fire on the Nazis. She destroyed many fascists. She fired back until the ammunition ran out. Pashchenko did not give up, but shot herself. She was 22 years old.
In return, the pilot's nephew Victor said at the custody award: “The family was waiting for Vasilisa, who was called Asya at home.” And we can say he's back. ”