Colonel Kostiantyn Mohylko was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine for his final act of self-sacrifice.
The monument features a genuine An-2 airplane, a Soviet-era biplane widely used in Ukraine for agricultural and transport purposes.
The site was renamed in honor of Mohylko to replace colonial-era memorial themes with modern Ukrainian military history.
The An-30B plane Mohylko piloted was conducting a peaceful aerial reconnaissance mission at the time of the shoot-down.
Vinnytsia serves as the headquarters for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, making this memorial historically significant to the city's identity.
The monument located at Kostiantyn Mohylko Square commemorates the Ukrainian Air Force pilot and Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Kostiantyn Mohylko. Mohylko died in 2014 when his An-30B surveillance aircraft was shot down over Sloviansk, but he steered the damaged plane away from residential areas to save civilians on the ground. The memorial replaces a former Soviet-era aviation monument that stood on the site for decades. The centerpiece features an An-2 aircraft, representing the aviation history of the Vinnytsia region. The square and monument serve as a focal point for local commemorations of Ukrainian military personnel. It is situated within a landscaped public square designed to offer space for reflection.
From the pedestrian walkway looking toward the square, capturing the aircraft with the sky as a backdrop.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby park areas to appreciate the local urban layout.
Visit during national memorial days for a more profound experience of the site's significance to the local community.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens if you intend to capture the full scope of the aircraft and the square's geometry.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the aircraft, as it is a preserved memorial piece.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as this is a memorial site honoring a fallen military pilot.
