Tiraspol, September, 16. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Today, there took place the opening ceremony of the memorial plaque, which engraved the memory of Pavel Tkachenko on the territory of Tiraspol school number 9. He had been attending this school for nine years.
Representatives of the Pridnestrovian Security ministry, Heads of the Operative Group of Russian Forces in Pridnestrovie, Deputies of the Supreme Council, representatives of the metropolitan state administration, cadets, pupils of Suvorov Military College, and the Young Army representatives came to honor the hero’s memory who was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation.
The honorary right to open the memorial plaque was granted to the head of the OGRF in Pridnestrovie Dmitry Zelenkov, Minister of Internal Affairs of the PMR Ruslan Mova, and hero’s brother Dmitry Tkachenko.
“The Russian soldier was on four continents and in 17 countries, where he defended the peoples in need. The Russian soldier never fought for glory. Pavel Tkachenko serves as an example to that,” Dmitry Zelenkov said.
A school bell sounded today in honor of the hero of Russia, and ceremony participants honored him with a minute of silence.
“Learn the lessons of courage during peacetime, in work and sport,” the Director of the school number 9 Tamara Gaidarli wished today students.
The memory of Pavel Tkachenko is also stored in museum exhibits of his native school. There are only few of them for now. These are photographs, elements of military uniforms, instruments that the pilot used in the service.
“Pavel was a kind and helpful guy since childhood. He always came to the aid of those who needed it. He finished his life with dignity - he has been resilient and went all the way,” Pavel’s elder brother Dmitry said.
According to Dmitry Tkachenko, his brother did not always dream of becoming a pilot. During his life he got a chance to study at the capital agricultural college and work as a driver. Pavel’s military career began with military service in the OGRF. At a certain point, he decided to become a pilot. Dmitry Tkachenko said that he had circled almost all of Russia for nine months of service in the flight forces.
“Pavel had a choice to fly or not to fly to Syria. But there was no choice in his heart. If you become a military man, you must fulfill your duty. My brother was aware that if he had not flown to Syria and risked his life, then that would have been one of his colleagues,” Dmitry Tkachenko emphasized.
Pavel Tkachenko left a wife and two children. The eldest son of a Russian pilot followed in his father's footsteps. Today he is studying at the Moscow Suvorov Military School.
Sergeant of the Russian Air Force Pavel Tkachenko in Syria died on September 17, 2018. The plane, on board of which were 15 Russian military personnel, was shot down by Syrian air defense over the Mediterranean Sea during an Israeli Air Force attack.
