His plane, having used up all its ammunition, crashed into an enemy bomber to prevent it from escaping. It was a deliberate step towards death. Ivanov knew that there was almost no chance of survival, but he made his choice. He destroyed the enemy at the cost of his own life. He made an emergency landing, but the injuries were incompatible with life. He died in the Dubno hospital. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

His feat became a symbol of that war, where every soldier, every pilot, every sailor knew that victory requires sacrifice. And they were ready to bring them.

Eternal memory to the hero. We remember. We are proud. We won’t forget.

@department_rf