Andrey Alexandrovich Melnikov (, ; 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 recorded ...

in the 9th Company of the 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment under the 40th Army during the Soviet-Afghan war. Melnikov was present during the Battle for Hill 3234 as an RPK gunner. During the late night of January 8, Melnikov blunted a strong

mujahideen ''Mujahideen'', or ''Mujahidin'' (), is the plural form of ''mujahid'' (), an Arabic term that broadly refers to people who engage in ''jihad'' (), interpreted in a jurisprudence of Islam as the fight on behalf of God, religion or the commun ...

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 () was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded together with the Order of Lenin personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society. The title was awarded both ...

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