Monument to Catherine Zelenko

Catherine Ivanovna Zelenko. Member of the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940 (the only woman among the pilots) as part of the 3rd squadron of the 11th lightly bomber aviation regiment, which was part of the 8th Army Air Force. It made 8 sorties, during which it destroyed the artillery battery and the ammunition depot of the enemy, was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. From the first day of World War II, she participated in battles, being the deputy commander of the 5th squadron of the 135th bomber aviation regiment (16th mixed aviation division, 6th Army Air Force, Southwestern Front). In total, she managed to make 40 sorties (including at night), participated in 12 air battles. In July 1941, commanded a group of bombers that destroyed 45 tanks, 20 vehicles in the Propoisk area, to the battalion of enemy soldiers and returned without loss. September 12, 1941 made two reconnaissance sorties on a Su-2 aircraft. Despite the fact that during the second departure her plane was damaged, on the same day she flew out on a mission for the third time. On the way back, near the city of Romny, two Soviet aircraft were attacked by seven German Me-109s. The second Soviet aircraft was shot down and forced to leave the battle. Zelenko was able to shoot down one plane, and when she ran out of ammunition, rammed a second German plane. May 5, 1990 by decree of the President of the USSR she was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.

Nice monument

Monument to the girl who committed a battering ram during the war