Zelenskyy awarded title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously) to pilot Oleksii Mes (Moonfish) - decree
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously) to pilot Oleksii Mes (Moonfish), who died on 26 August 2024 during a massive missile attack by the Russian army.
The relevant decree was published on the website of the Presidential Office, Censor.NET reports.
"For personal courage and heroism displayed in the defence of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I hereby decree:
To award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of 'the Golden Star' to MES Oleksii Serhiiovych, Colonel (posthumously)," the text reads.
The death of the pilot Mes
On 26 August 2024, it became known that pilot Oleksii Mes, call sign "Moonfish", was killed while repelling a Russian missile attack.
In the evening of 29 August, the General Staff confirms the loss of an F-16 fighter jet during a Russian missile strike on Ukraine.
Representatives of the Air Force of the AFU told Ukrainian service of Voice of America on condition of anonymity that various versions are being considered, including "friendly fire" from its air defences, a technical malfunction and pilot error.
The deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, "servant of the people" Mariana Bezuhla, said that the F-16 fighter jet of Ukrainian pilot Oleksii "Moonfish" Mes was shot down by a Patriot missile system due to discoordination between units.
