In memory of pilot Vladislav Zalistovskyi (callsign "Blue Helmet").
Vladislav Zalistovsky was born on July 18, 2000, in Malyn, Zhytomyr region. His first teacher, pilot Larysa Lysenko, remembers him as a short boy sitting at the front desks: “He was a sunny, positive child. You know, they say wherever you leave him, that's where you’ll find him, but he was very responsible.”
9 In 2015, after completing the 9th grade, Vladislav enrolled in the Kyiv Military Lyceum named after Ivan Bohun. He later continued his studies at the Flight Faculty of the Kharkiv National University of the Air Force named after Ivan Kozhedub. Since 2021, he served as a soldier in the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk, where he piloted a MiG-29 combat aircraft.
0 In the summer of 2022, Senior Lieutenant Zalistovsky began defending Ukrainian skies from Russian missiles and aircraft, accumulating dozens of combat sorties. However, he did not share this with his family. “He never mentioned flying somewhere after missiles or 'Shaheds.' He would say to me, ‘I’m not doing anything like that.’ And I would ask him, ‘What if something happens?’ He always replied that he could eject,” recalls Vladislav's mother, Tetiana.
1 Vladislav started posting his first videos in May 2023, running a blog titled Blue Helmet on Instagram and TikTok. The videos showcased the work of a pilot, the training process, and combat sorties in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
View this post on Instagram
On January 5, 2024, Vladislav Zalistovsky died during a combat mission. He was only 23 years old.
2
“We lost not just a pilot, but also a reliable comrade, a friend, a son, and simply a wonderful and bright person in Vladislav. He was one of those with whom I would undertake any task, confident that he would not leave me in a difficult situation, both in military matters and in life in general. Unfortunately, none of us will see new Blue Helmet videos anymore,” noted the pilot's acquaintance, Valeriy Volosyuk.
3
The beloved girlfriend of the Hero, Yevheniya, wrote:
“I never thought I would have such a post on my page. You loved your job, your life, your sky, but it played a cruel joke on you. You will forever remain in my heart as the best boy in the world. And not just in mine. So many of your acquaintances tell me that you are the best. Everyone truly loves you! You were only 23… But for some reason, the sky takes the best. Eternal flight to you, my angel.”
4 Farewell to Vladislav Zalistovsky took place on January 10, 2024, in Malyn.
5 6 “There are no words that could slightly muffle or diminish the pain of loss… Because this loss is immense. It hurts everyone who is saying goodbye to Vladislav, it hurts those who could not come but are with us in spirit, it hurts the entire community and Ukraine,” stated the Malyn City Council.
“He really loved the sky. He is there now. We want him to be remembered, his beautiful smile. He had such a beautiful smile, such kind eyes,” said Vladislav's grandmother.
7 The warrior was buried at the Alley of Heroes in the city cemetery. Vladislav Zalistovsky was posthumously awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi III degree and the Honorary Badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “Silver Cross.”
Photo: Instagram _blue_helmet, olezhkovna_22, Facebook page Vlad Zalistovsky, Suspilne.Zhytomyr, from the family archive