Lukashenka appointed Colonel

as the commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Previously, he held the position of deputy commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces - chief of aviation.

What is known about Andrei Lukyanovich?

Immediately after his appointment in February 2022 as deputy commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Andrei Lukyanovich gave an interview to the state newspaper "Zvyazda".

Andrei Lukyanovich was born in Smargoni, Hrodna region.

When he was seven years old, his father died, and his mother was left with three children - Lukyanovich has two sisters.

He studied at the Balashovsky Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots (Saratov Region, Russia).

Has the specialty of a pilot-sniper.

After school, he was assigned to the 150th military transport aviation regiment, which was stationed in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia).

Married.

Svetlana's wife also comes from Smargoni.

They have three children.

The eldest son Yevgeny is a civil aviation pilot who works in Russia.

Eugene's wife is also a civil aviation pilot.

Nastasya's daughter is studying in Germany, and Nikita's youngest son is in the ninth grade.

It is known that Andrei Lukyanovich personally piloted the IL-76 aircraft at all military parades in Belarus.

His plane usually ended the aviation part with smoke in the color of the national flag of Belarus.

"For me, this is a great honor.

I would like to note that our pilots are carefully selected: only first-class pilots are recruited to participate in the parade.

In the complex with careful preparation for the solemn event, despite the rather difficult flight at different altitudes and speeds, it is necessary to assemble the order of battle when taking off from four airfields.

Jewelry work, similar to the work of an artist," he shared his impressions with journalists.