Ivan Zhukov

Ivan Yefimovich Zhukov (; 31 December 1934 – 10 April 2021) was an officer of the Soviet Air Force. Over his time in service, he reached the rank of polkovnik, the Soviet equivalent to colonel. In 1982 he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Born in 1932, Zhukov began a long association with flying while studying in his hometown. After being drafted into the armed forces in 1953, he studied and trained in several of the country's military flight schools. Rising through the ranks, he served in fighter regiments, and as an instructor pilot, later becoming involved in training and development of new technologies. In 1982, while flying the MiG-25PU, an accident occurred, causing the aircraft to become almost uncontrollable. Zhukov was able to save and land the aircraft, and a subsequent investigation uncovered the cause of the accident. The MiG-25 design was altered to prevent further accidents, and Zhukov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his role in saving the aircraft, and the contribution to technological developments. After a period as senior inspector-pilot, Zhukov retired in 1988, and died in 2021. His life and achievements are commemorated in his birth city of Vladimir.

Early life and career Zhukov was born on 31 December 1932 in Vladimir, then part of the Russian Soviet Socialist Federative Republic, in the Soviet Union. He studied in the school in his hometown, taking ten classes, and was a member of the Vladimir Aeroclub. In November 1953 he was drafted into the Soviet Armed Forces. Zhukov graduated from further studies at the in January 1955, and from the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School in 1957. He went on to serve as a pilot, and then senior pilot, in fighter regiments in the Belorussian Military District until August 1963. Zhukov then studied at the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1967, and in June that year was then assigned as a senior instructor-pilot of the 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment, stationed at Bolshoye Savino airfield in Perm. He was part of the Soviet Air Defence Forces as deputy commander, and later, commander, of a squadron, and chief of air combat and tactical training. A portrait of Zhukov is painted on the school's facade.