Kostenko, Anton Nikolaevich

Anton Kostenko was born on December 27, 1917 (in a new style - January 8, 1918 ) in the village of Nechaevo (now Shpolyansky district of Cherkasy region of Ukraine ). After graduating from six grades of school, he worked on a collective farm . In 1938, Kostenko was called up for service in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army. Since December 1941 - on the fronts of World War II ^[1] .

By September 1943, Captain Anton Kostenko commanded the 385th Separate Reconnaissance of the 322nd Rifle Division of the 13th Army of the Central Front . He distinguished himself during the liberation of the Chernihiv region of the Ukrainian SSR . At the beginning of September, Kostenko, head of the reconnaissance group, penetrated the German rear in the area of ​​the village of Golovenki, Borznyansky District , seized a staff car with two German officers and important documents, and then delivered them to his unit. In that battle, Kostenko was seriously injured, from which he died on September 5, 1943. He was buried in the village of New Mlyn, Borznyansky district ^[1] .

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 16, 1943 for "courage, bravery and heroism shown in the struggle against the German invaders," Captain Anton Kostenko was posthumously awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union . He was also awarded the Orders of Lenin and the Red Star ^[1] .

“Fighters of the division reconnaissance company were extremely initiative and courageously fulfilling their tasks. Her commander, Anton Nikolayevich Kostenko, was known as a man who was destined for the difficult and dangerous profession of a scout. There seemed to be no such task at all that he would not have performed at the risk of his life in the most difficult, dangerous situation. And now, when due to the lack of a continuous front, actions were carried out in separate directions, Kostenko with his eagles freely penetrated the location of the Nazis, took prisoners, obtained staff documents, weapons samples and delivered all this to the headquarters.
....... This was the last sortie in which captain Kostenko personally participated: for him it ended tragically ... ..
On that day, disguised as an SS officer, Kostenko, together with a small group of soldiers, made his way to the rear of the Germans and ambushed in a ditch. Soon on the road appeared a black "Opel Admiral." It was important to sit several senior staff ranks. Having jumped out onto the road right in front of the car’s nose, Kostenko pointed an automatic at them and shouted: “Hyundai hoch!” One of the Nazis managed to shoot; the bullet hit Kostenko, but he found the strength to help the fighters twist the officers, and then sit behind the wheel. Half an hour later, the staff car, ... .., already rolled up to the positions of our marching guards. The fighters, distinguishing people in German uniforms, became alarmed. Deciding that the Nazis got lost and fell into their hands themselves, they jumped out to meet. Oppel Admiral braked sharply. The soldiers opened the door .... and ... they recoiled: having dropped their heads on the steering wheel, captain Kostenko was dying before their eyes. The wound received in a clash with the enemy was fatal for the brave man ....
"Captain Anton Nikolayevich Kostenko was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union."

- Hero of the Soviet Union Army General P.N. Lashchenko From battle - to battle. - M.: Military Publishing, 1972. P.86-87.

• Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary / Prev. ed. collegium I. N. Shkadov . - M .: Military Publishing , 1987.- T. 1 / Abaev - Lyubichev /. - 911 p. - 100,000 copies. - ISBN comp., Reg. RCP No. 87-95382.
• “They defended the world”, Dnepropetrovsk, 1985.