"Sasha acted like a real warrior." The 27-year-old captain died to save civilians
© Photo provided by Yulia Korpan from the family archive
He could have ejected when his plane caught fire. And it was over an apartment building.
Captain Oleksandr Korpan died while performing a combat mission in Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytsky region. He served in Nikolaev in the 299th brigade of tactical aviation named after General Vasily Nikiforov. He was the commander of the aviation squadron of this brigade. Alexander grew up in a military family in Sevastopol. His father was a pilot, so he dreamed of this profession.
He first entered the Nakhimov Military Lyceum. He then continued his studies at the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National University of the Air Force of Ukraine. After the occupation of Crimea, he did not betray the oath to Ukraine. After graduating from university, he continued his service in Nikolaev.
"Sasha loved the sky very much," says his wife Julia Korpan. - He flew a Su-25 fighter jet. He had a talented team of pilots. He was a very responsible leader. "
Julia remembers the story of meeting Sasha.
"We met in Gorky Park in Kharkiv," the woman said. - I then studied for a master's degree, and Sasha already a year as served in Nikolaev, came to Kharkiv for courses. When he escorted me to the taxi after a walk, he asked for my phone number. The next day I called and invited him on a date. We walked around the city, talked about everything in the world. It felt like we had known each other for many years. ”
Julia says that Sasha loved sports, was fond of programming, and was a real romantic!
"Sasha made me an offer on the roof of a high-rise building," Yulia recalls. - Under the starry sky. Around - candles, flowers ... We loved each other so much! They lived a wonderful almost two years in marriage. "
The last time Julia saw her husband was in February 2022, shortly before the full-scale Russian invasion.
“Afterwards, we only talked on the phone. We were planning a vacation for my birthday, we wanted to go to Istanbul, - says Julia. - Suddenly on February 24 at 04.56 I woke up from loud explosions. The windows in the apartment were shaking. I called Sasha. He did not answer. Calling back, he said that Russia had attacked Ukraine so that I could pack up and go to his relatives in Ivano-Frankivsk. At first I didn't want to leave Nikolaev. But he insisted. He said he should be calm for me. So I agreed. "
On February 24, at 04:56, I woke up to loud explosions. The windows in the apartment were shaking. I called Sasha.
After February 24, Yulia and Sasha hardly communicated. The telephone conversations lasted no more than a minute. And the last was on March 2.
“We talked about 09.23. Short. He said he would call later. But the call did not come from him ... I could not believe that Sasha died. During the combat flight, he saved his brothers at the cost of his own life, - says Julia. - And then took his plane, which has already caught fire, from residential buildings. Although he could eject to save his life. However, then more people would die. He, like a true warrior, gave his life for others.
The Hero's wife adds that although she is unbearably hurt by this loss, she is proud of her husband and understands that it was his duty to protect the country.
"I will do my best to keep the memory of him alive. He will always be in my heart. Hero of Ukraine, my beloved hero! ”
Oleksandr Korpan was buried in the town of Pidhaytsi in the Ternopil region, near his father's grave. President Zelensky posthumously awarded him the title of Hero of Ukraine. Last year he was awarded the title of "Best Pilot".
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