Ihor Volodymyrovych Bedzai (Ukrainian: Ігор Володимирович Бедзай; 20 July 1972 – 7 May 2022) was a Ukrainian naval officer and pilot killed when his helicopter was shot down by Russian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He was also the Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy.[1] He was a posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine as a recipient of the Order of the Gold Star, and the knight of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III class.

Hero of Ukraine
Ihor Bedzai
Born20 July 1972
Died7 May 2022 (aged 49)
Allegiance Armed Forces of Ukraine
Branch
Ukrainian Naval Aviation
Service years
1993–2022
Rank
Colonel
CommandsCommander of the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade
Commander of the Ukrainian Naval Aviation
Deputy Commander of the Ukrainian Navy
Conflicts
AwardsHero of Ukraine Hero of Ukraine
Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky III class

Commemoration

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On 24 June 2022, in accordance with the Decree of the President of Ukraine, in order to perpetuate the memory of the Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Ihor Bedzai, his courage and heroism, indomitable spirit, revealed during the defense of the independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, taking into account the exemplary performance of the assigned tasks by the personnel. The 10th Naval Aviation Brigade of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the brigade was named after the Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Ihor Bedzai, and in the future the brigade became known as the "10th Marine Aviation Brigade named after the Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Ihor Bedzai of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine".[2]

Awards

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References

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Sources

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