AFU Fighters Liquidate Russian Ace Helicopter Pilot From 'Berkut' Group

The colonel was flying a Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter.

Colonel Vasily Kleshchenko, deputy head of the 344th centre for combat use and retraining of army aviation flight personnel, has been liquidated in the war in Ukraine.

Another "two-hundredth" Russian officer was reported on Twitter by the AFU colonel and blogger Anatoly Shtefan (Stirlitz).

"Colonel Vasily Kleshchenko, deputy head of the 344th centre for combat use and retraining of army aviation flight personnel, has taken a 'step of goodwill' - officially denazified and demilitarized," the post read.

The 344th Russian aviation centre is located in the town of Torzhok in Tver Region. It includes the 696th helicopter test instructor regiment, which trains pilots of the highest category, as well as foreign military flight and technical personnel. Besides, an aerobatic team on combat helicopters Mi-24 - "Berkuty" operates on the basis of the centre.

The regiment also conducts tests of all modern models and modifications of Russian military helicopters.

The liquidated occupant Vasily Kleshchenko took part in the May 9 parade in 2021. The Russian colonel was flying the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter.