Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov (russian: Андрей Александрович Мельников, be, Андрэй Мельнікаў; 11 April 1968 – 8 January 1988) was a machine gunner with the rank of

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...

in the 9th Company of the

345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment The 345th Guards Airborne Regiment (345th PPD) of the Soviet Airborne Forces, and after 1992, the Russian Airborne Forces, was active from 1944 to 1998. History It was formed on 30 December 1944 at Lapichi, Osipovichi district, Mogilev Oblast, ...

under the 40th Army during the Soviet-Afghan war. Melnikov was present during the Battle for Hill 3234 as an

RPK The RPK (russian: Ручной пулемёт Калашникова/РПК, Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova, link=no, English: "Kalashnikov hand-held machine gun"), sometimes retroactively termed the RPK-47, is a Soviet 7.62×39mm light machine ...

gunner. During the late night of January 8, Melnikov blunted a strong mujahideen attack on the 9th Company's position, at the cost of his life. For his bravery and skill under fire, Melnikov was posthumously awarded the title of

Hero of the Soviet Union The title Hero of the Soviet Union (russian: Герой Советского Союза, translit=Geroy Sovietskogo Soyuza) was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded together with the Order of Lenin personally or collectively for ...

References

https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230758/http://www.rsva.ru/biblio/prose_af/afgan-soldiers/5.shtml 1968 births 1988 deaths People from Mogilev Heroes of the Soviet Union Belarusian military personnel Soviet military personnel killed in the Soviet-Afghan War Soviet military personnel of the Soviet–Afghan War Personnel of the Soviet Airborne Forces Belarusian aviators {{hero-USSR-stub

See also

References