While defending the Ukrainian sky from Russian missiles, air defense officer Viktor Sushkov was killed.
Born on August 15, 1991, in Yenakiieve, Donetsk region, Viktor graduated from the Kharkiv National Air Force University named after Ivan Kozhedub, specializing in “Armament and Military Equipment.”
Outside of service, Viktor excelled in sports. He was a prizewinner in local and national crossfit competitions and won bronze at the second Ukrainian Championship in functional multi-sport for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2017. That same year, he took first place among the law enforcement forces of Kharkiv in crossfit.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014, Viktor consciously chose the military path and took pride in defending his homeland. He served in one of the units in Dnipropetrovsk and participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO).
On February 24, 2022, when the Russian invaders began their full-scale assault, Viktor was among the first to stand up for our country. He was the commander of the control platoon of the 1039th separate anti-aircraft missile regiment of the Air Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He defended the city of Okhtyrka in Sumy region during the most intense battles. He did everything he could to ensure our homes remained intact after each attack by Russian missiles and drones, so families could return safely every night without threat from the skies.
On March 20, 2022, Senior Lieutenant Viktor Sushkov, call sign “Sukhar,” struck an enemy aircraft in Sumy region, but was unable to down it. A few hours later, the planes returned. Due to communication issues, our forces were unable to obtain permission to launch missiles in time. Viktor Sushkov, aged 30, died that day along with his comrades…
The Hero left behind his beloved wife, whom he married nine months before the tragedy, and with whom he dreamed of having children…