Evgeny Chintsov participated in the opening of the monument to pilot Alexander Molev.

      On July 6, 2026, at 17:48, Society The solemn opening of the monument to the Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Molev took place in the village of Fominki, Gorokhovetsky District, Vladimir Region. Representatives from Nizhny Novgorod and Vladimir Region, veteran and public organizations, youth army members, local residents, and relatives of the hero participated in the ceremony. The chairman of the City Duma, Evgeny Chintsov, spoke about the significant event. Alexander Molev's life was connected to both Vladimir land and Nizhny Novgorod Region. He studied in Dzerzhinsk, where he graduated from school and an aeroclub. In 1940, he was drafted into the Red Army, completed the Engels Military Aviation School of Pilots, and participated in combat operations from March 1942. On July 8, 1944, his Il-2 aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The pilot managed to land the burning aircraft, but he died at the controls. By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 26, 1944, Alexander Molev was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

      Evgeny Chintsov emphasized that the feat of Alexander Molev is part of the common historical memory of the people of Vladimir and Nizhny Novgorod. He reminded that the pilot flew the Il-2 on 529 missions to attack enemy positions, and each flight was fraught with deadly risk. According to him, the hero lived only 22 years but managed to do more for his homeland than many in a long life.

      It is important for us that the memory of him is preserved both in his small homeland and in Dzerzhinsk, where he took his first steps in aviation. Such monuments are needed not only for the past but also for the future, Evgeny Chintsov emphasized.

      A special part of the event was the performances of schoolchildren. Students from the Fominki village school and the Dzerzhinsk secondary school named after Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Molev shared facts about the pilot's life and the work of the school museum, where memories of him are carefully preserved.

      Also participating in the ceremony was a participant in the special military operation, a holder of four Courage Orders, and a representative of the second stream of the "Time of Heroes" program, Arthur Jumabaev. He arrived at the opening at the invitation of his comrade-in-arms, Evgeny Chintsov, with whom he carried out tasks in one of the areas in the special military operation zone.

      Times change, but loyalty to the oath, brotherhood in arms, and readiness to defend one's country remain unchanged. It is on these values that the connection between generations is based—from the heroes of the Nizhny Novgorod militia, the Great Patriotic War, and to our contemporaries, the chairman of the City Duma stated.

      The ceremony concluded with the laying of flowers at the monument. Earlier, we reported that a monument to Academician Andrei Gaponov-Grekhov was installed in the center of Nizhny Novgorod. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+