The Russian military at the Khmeimim airbase in Syria unveiled a monument to pilot Roman Filipov, who died fighting terrorists after his plane was shot down in Syria's Idlib province. The bust of Major Filipov, who was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, was created by sculptor Mikhail Serdyukov, the author of the Walk of Fame.
"Today we pay tribute to all those who fought on Syrian ground against international terrorism, all those who did not return home and died, thereby fulfilling their duty to the end. Among them is our hero pilot Major Filipov Roman Nikolayevich. He dedicated his life to a noble cause, the defense of our Motherland," Lieutenant General Alexander Chaiko, commander of the group of troops of the Russian Armed Forces in Syria, said at the opening ceremony of the monument.
The monument was installed at Khmeimim next to the bust of another Russian serviceman, helicopter pilot Ryafagat Khabibulin, who died in 2016 during the liberation of Palmyra from the militants.
Rear Admiral Igor Kurochkin, deputy commander of the Russian Armed Forces grouping in Syria for military and political work, explained to reporters that when creating the monument the servicemen consulted with Filipov's relatives, the decision to install it was made together.
"Today we will call Roman's parents. We will tell them about this memorable day and send them photos and videos. And in general, we have an idea to immortalize not only the memory of Filipov, but to create an alley of heroes to honor all the victims," Kurochkin said.
About the death of Filipov
On February 3, 2018, a Russian Air Force Su-25SM aircraft piloted by Roman Filipov was shot down in Syria by members of the terrorist organization Jebhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia) as a result of anti-aircraft missile fire. The officer ejected and landed near the militant-controlled village of Saraqib in Idlib province. On the ground, Filipov fought the terrorists while surrounded, was wounded and subsequently blew himself up with a grenade. The terrorists stole his APS pistol, protective helmet and oxygen mask.
Roman Filipov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia. On the stone, behind which he hid from the bullets of the gunmen installed a memorial plaque, a monument to him is also installed in the village Chernigovka Primorsky Krai, where he served in the assault air regiment of the Eastern Military District. Filipov was buried with military honors on the Walk of Fame in his native Voronezh.
Earlier, the Basmanny Court in Moscow had arrested in absentia four members of Jebhat al-Nusra, who had been charged in the criminal case concerning the death of Filipov. They were charged in absentia with committing crimes under Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code (participation in the activities of an organization which in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation is recognized as a terrorist organization), Part 3 of Article 30, Part 2 of Article 105 (attempted murder) and Part 1 of Article 226 of the Criminal Code (theft of firearms). The accused were put on the international wanted list.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: TV channel "Zvezda"
Based on materials from TASS