Tuesday11 February 2025
manipulyator.in.ua

"Military personnel in the rear feel unsafe": the mother of the late pilot "Dzhus" recounted how her son was beaten.

Two years before the outbreak of full-scale war, Andrei Pilshchikov and his fellow pilot were assaulted by an intoxicated man. To avoid the risk of being removed from flight duty, the injured parties sought treatment on their own at a hospital in Kyiv, opting not to go to a military hospital.
"Мать погибшего пилота 'Джуса' рассказала о том, как ее сын, находясь в тылу, не чувствовал себя в безопасности и был избит."

Lilia Averyanova, the mother of Hero of Ukraine, fallen Air Force pilot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andrey Pilshchikov ("Jus"), shared the story of how her son and a comrade were beaten on New Year's Eve in 2020 in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region. The message about the disrespect towards soldiers was published by her on Facebook.

She noted that military personnel, who risk their lives daily on the front lines, cannot feel safe even in the rear. In her opinion, the dismissive attitude towards the military existed long before the full-scale war and the era of TCC.

"A terrible disgrace has befallen our people. A soldier, who defends our land while risking his life daily, does not feel safe even when stepping outside — whether in uniform or not. This is during the most horrific war. What is this? This is already a split in your identity, Ukrainian people. So decide already, whose side are you on? To protect you or what? And these sentimental videos of happy homecomings, flowers, kittens, and puppies in the hands of beloved defenders are all overshadowed. By a bullet that took the life of a soldier at the hands of a scoundrel, who is part of the very people our warriors pledge to protect," wrote Averyanova, referring to the events in Pyriatyn, where a man shot a TCC serviceman.

Andrey Pilshchikov's mother recounted that on New Year's Eve 2020, her son, along with another pilot, decided to relax in Vasylkiv while sober. However, a drunken man brutally assaulted both officers. As a result of the attack, Andrey sustained bruises and a broken nose, while his comrade suffered a fracture of the eye socket after being struck in the temple.

"The two pilot officers treated themselves secretly, like homeless people, in a hospital in Kyiv, avoiding the military hospital for fear of being discharged from flight duty. The only assistance they received from the brigade was retroactively granting leave. The brigade decided not to quarrel with the local thugs over this incident because it's necessary to live peacefully with the locals; one hand washes the other. That's how 'protection' for the defenders turned out to be. The leave was barely enough for these wounds to heal," noted Averyanova.

After the onset of the full-scale invasion, both pilots defended the Ukrainian sky and became known as the "Ghosts of Kyiv." Both lost their lives while defending Ukraine.

"And somewhere nearby, the abuser of our winged heroes treads on the ground. I highly doubt he has repented. I am even more skeptical that he has joined our defense. Warriors have sworn an oath to the people, but the people have not to the warriors," wrote the mother of the fallen soldier.

Recall that on February 1 in Pyriatyn, Poltava region, a man shot a TCC serviceman at a gas station using hunting weapons. This occurred during the escort of mobilized men to the training center. The attacker fled with one of the mobilized citizens. The men were apprehended a few hours later and charged with suspicion.

The Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatiy, stated that the killing of soldiers in the rear is a red line that cannot be crossed. According to him, a swift and harsh response from the authorities is the only possible action in situations of lawlessness against military personnel.