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Cold War

Alexander Prokhorenko

Who Was Alexander Prokhorenko?

Direct Answer

Alexander Prokhorenko was a Russian special forces officer serving in Syria. While scouting targets near Palmyra in 2016, he was surrounded by enemy forces. To avoid capture and ensure the destruction of the militants, he radioed for an airstrike on his own position. His immense bravery was recognized with the title Hero of the Russian Federation, the Gold Star Medal, the Order of Courage, and the Medal For Participant in the Military Operation in Syria.

Quick Facts

Full Name

Senior Lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko

Nationality

Russia

Service Branch

Special Operations Forces

Rank

Senior Lieutenant

Unit

Special Operations Forces of the Russian Federation

Conflict

Cold War

Battle

Palmyra Offensive

Date of Event

2016-03-17

Awards

Gold Star Medal of the Hero of the Russian Federation, Medal For Participant in the Military Operation in Syria, Order of Courage

Awards

Gold Star Medal of the Hero of the Russian Federation

Russia

View

Medal For Participant in the Military Operation in Syria

Who Was Alexander Prokhorenko?

Alexander Prokhorenko was an elite Russian officer tasked with identifying enemy positions.

Early Life

Alexander Prokhorenko was born in a small village in Russia in 1990. He grew up wanting to serve his country and eventually attended a military academy to become an officer.

Before the Event

In 2016, Prokhorenko was sent to Syria to support efforts against terrorist groups. He worked as a forward air controller, which meant he moved secretly to find targets for Russian planes to strike.

What Happened

He called an airstrike on his coordinates while surrounded by fighters.

Defining Moment

The most powerful moment was his final radio transmission to his commanders. He told them he was surrounded and gave the order to drop the bombs on his position so he would not be captured.

Aftermath

The airstrike was carried out, which stopped the enemy fighters who had trapped him. Russian military leaders later recovered his body and recognized him for his extreme bravery under fire.

Later Life

Because he died in the line of duty, there is no later life to speak of. His country honored him posthumously by giving his family the Gold Star Medal, which is the highest award a soldier can receive in Russia.

Why It Matters

His selfless actions demonstrate extreme courage in the face of certain death.

The Story in 10 Seconds

Alexander Prokhorenko was a Russian special forces officer in Syria. In 2016, he was surrounded by fighters near Palmyra. Choosing to die rather than be captured, he ordered an airstrike on his own position. He was posthumously named a Hero of the Russian Federation for his profound act of selfless sacrifice during combat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander Prokhorenko

1Who was Alexander Prokhorenko?+

Alexander Prokhorenko was a Russian special forces officer who served in Syria. He worked as a forward air controller, which means his job was to find targets for aircraft to hit. He was known for his extreme bravery during the battle near Palmyra in 2016.

2What did Prokhorenko do in the battle near Palmyra?+

While scouting enemy positions, Prokhorenko became surrounded by fighters. To avoid being captured, he made a very brave choice. He used his radio to call for an airstrike on his own exact location. This action stopped the enemy fighters who had trapped him, but it also meant he lost his life in the process.

3What awards did he receive for his actions?+

Because of his selfless sacrifice, his country honored him with several awards. He was named a Hero of the Russian Federation and given the Gold Star Medal, which is the highest award a soldier can receive in Russia. He also received the Order of Courage and the Medal For Participant in the Military Operation in Syria.

4What was a forward air controller's job?+

A forward air controller is a soldier who moves into secret locations to find enemy targets. Once they find these targets, they guide aircraft to them so the planes know where to strike. Prokhorenko served in this dangerous role while supporting missions against terrorist groups in Syria during 2016.

5When and where did this event take place?+

This event happened on March 17, 2016. It took place near the city of Palmyra in Syria. Prokhorenko was working there as part of his duties for the Russian Special Operations Forces when he became surrounded by enemy fighters and had to make his final decision.