Sergey Vyacheslavovich Palagin (Russian: áõÃÂóõÃÂù ÃÂÃÂÃÂõÃÂûðÃÂòþòøàÃÂðûðÃÂóøý; 26 March 1968 â 6 November 2020) was a Russian military pilot, lieutenant colonel and combatant during the OssetianâÂÂIngush conflict, First Chechen War, Second Chechen War, the war in Dagestan, and the Russo-Georgian War. He was awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation in 2004.
Over his time in service of the Russian Military (1985âÂÂ2014), Palagin earned the nickname "Brother" (Russian: ÃÂÃÂðÃÂøÃÂúð), given to him by soldiers who were often rescued by his experienced helicopter crew in critical situations. He flew an Mi-8 model helicopter.
Palagin died from complications of COVID-19 on 6 November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. He was 52 years old.