Colonel Anishchenko Oleksandr Hryhorovych

17 December 1969 – 5 May 2014

Anishchenko Oleksandr Hryhorovych

Colonel

Oleksandr Anishchenko was born on December 17, 1969 in the city of Sumy.

He enlisted in the SSU in 1993, he started his career as an operative and rose to the head of a structural unit of the Center for Special Operations “A” at the SSU Office in the Sumy region.

His former subordinates recall that the commander always emphasised that their safety depended on his professionalism, endurance and moderation.

A brave, honest and cheerful officer, an excellent athlete, goalkeeper of the football team, he was one of the best snipers in Ukraine.

On May 5, 2014, a group consisting of Colonel Anishchenko and his comrades-in-arms from Special Unit “A” of the SSU, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Armed Forces of Ukraine set off in the direction of Sloviansk in two APC vehicles.

The group was to carry out reconnaissance and provide cover for the military, who were preparing to return the city captured by terrorists to the control of the Ukrainian authorities. Near the village of Semenivka, at a railway crossing, the terrorists set up an ambush and fired on the group from three sides. When one of the APCs was shot down, Oleksandr and his comrades took up a circular defence, covering the evacuation of the wounded. A total of 25 special forces officers stood against a hundred of militants.

Colonel Anishchenko died from a direct hit from a grenade launcher. Two other Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the same battle.

The officer was buried with military honours in his hometown.

For exceptional courage and heroism, by the Decree of the President of Ukraine of January 2, 2015, Colonel Anishchenko was awarded the title of "Hero of Ukraine" with the Order of the Golden Star (posthumously).

By the decision of Sumy City Council, Colonel Oleksandr Anishchenko was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Sumy and a street was named in his honour.

One of the courses of the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine is also named in his honour.