Nikolaev Artem Mikhailovich

Artyom Mikhailovich Nikolaev, born March 23, 1995 — Captain of the 11th Air and Air Defense Forces Army, serviceman of the 18th Army Aviation Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces (unit 42838). Participant in the “Time of Heroes” program ( training and preparation of managerial personnel from among veterans of the war against Ukraine). Deputy Head of the Administration of Penza Oblast. Nikolaev took part in combat operations in Syria and Ukraine.

Source: Government of Penza Oblast https://pnzreg.ru/virtual-reception/phonebook/380392/_\

Artyom Nikolaev was born on March 23, 1995, in Penza, Russia. He attended Gymnasium No. 53 before enrolling in the Zhukovsky and Gagarin Air Force Academy, graduating in 2018. After graduation, he was assigned to serve in Khabarovsk and later, in 2021, was deployed to Syria, where he served as a Ka-52 helicopter navigator.

Since 2022, he has been involved in military operations in Ukraine as part of the 11th Air and Air Defense Forces Army and the 18th Army Aviation Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, continuing his role as a Ka-52 helicopter navigator. He participated in combat operations in the Hostomel area (Kyiv Oblast), near Izium in Kharkiv Oblast, and in the Zaporizhzhia area. During one mission, his helicopter was damaged; after an emergency landing, the crew engaged in combat.

According to open-source information, Nikolaev has flown approximately 130 combat sorties and destroyed 22 combat vehicles, 6 tanks, and 1 anti-aircraft system (9K33 Osa, NATO designation: SA-8 Gecko) as part of his crew. After completing active military service, he joined the “Time of Heroes” program, trained in Moscow, and was appointed Deputy Head of the Penza Oblast Administration.

Photo source: media outlet “Information Center ‘Penza Pravda’”

“You know, when I was sent to serve in Khabarovsk after graduating from the academy, I was already mentally prepared for the fact that sooner or later I would be sent to a combat zone in Syria. Honestly, deep down, I even wanted it. There’s a saying: ‘You don’t ask for war, but you don’t refuse it either.’ So when, in 2021, I was offered a deployment there, I accepted without hesitation. That’s where I gained my first combat experience and was awarded a medal. In the winter of 2022, we were urgently redeployed from Khabarovsk to the border with Ukraine. It was clear that something serious was being prepared. On the night of February 23–24, we were armed and issued crates of ammunition. In short, I found myself at the very start of the operation.” - https://archive.ph/3FR1o

Photo source: Government of Penza Oblast

Awards and Decorations: Medal “For Participation in the Military Parade on Victory Day,” Medal “For Combat Distinction,” Medal “Participant in the Military Operation in the Syrian Arab Republic,” two Orders of Courage, Nesterov Medal, Medal “Participant in the Special Military Operation,” and two Medals “For Bravery.”