https://petition.president.gov.ua/petition/251988
This story happened at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion. And everyone who was on the territory of KhAI or lived nearby remembers that evening well - March 6, 2022. They remember the flash in the sky, the explosion, and the cry that has already become part of our history: "I shot it down!!!". The video spread like lightning through the telegram channels of Kharkiv and all of Ukraine - in days when there was critically little good news. It was the moment when we all felt: the enemy is not omnipotent. We can. We will withstand.
Enemy planes then boldly entered to bomb the city. But suddenly - a trail of fire, a fall, and the first reports on local channels, which are now preserved in the "Chronicles of KhAI of the War Years":
18:19 - the plane has just been shot down.
18:19 - it fell towards Khoma.
18:19 — fell on Kommunar.
18:19 — saw a parachute over Lisopark.
18:20 — debris flying over Chkalova 15, direction from KhAI.
Then the brothers will write how they occupied the “Wind Rose” position, and how exactly that evening they managed to shoot down a Russian Su-34: at dusk they saw the plane with thermal targeting, captured the target and almost simultaneously made two launches — Anton and his brother “Fizruk”.
Then no one knew the name of the one who shouted “I shot it down!”.
Today we know his name.
Anton Voitenko, born in 1985, is a volunteer who served in the anti-aircraft missile division of the Spartan operational brigade of the NGU from 2015 to 2018 and even then received the medals “For Valiant Service” and “For Courage”.
On the first day of the full-scale invasion — February 24, 2022 — Anton, together with his father and brother, again took up arms and stood up to defend the northern approaches to Kharkiv. Then came Liptsy, Prudyanka, Kozacha Lopan, Bakhmut, Robotino — a long and difficult path of a true warrior. For his courage, Anton received the Order of the President of Ukraine “For the Defense of Ukraine” and the Orders “For Courage” of the 3rd and 2nd degrees.
On August 14, 2025, Anton fought his last battle, defending his native Kharkiv region. His wife and twin children were waiting for him at home. For Kharkiv, he will forever remain the same voice from the video that restored our faith in ourselves, and the warrior who stopped death flying towards the city from the sky.
Today, on behalf of the Public Organization "Kharkiv Redoubt Spartan", representatives of the Kharkiv community and the Kharkiv Regional Territorial Community, a collection of signatures is underway to award Anton Voitenko the title of Hero of Ukraine (posthumously). Almost 14,000 signatures have already been collected. And there are only 9 days left.
Friends, KhAI residents, Kharkiv residents — now it is our turn to pay tribute to the Hero.
Vote. Don't delay.
Anton Voitenko is a hero of Kharkiv, a man who has forever entered the history of the hero city.
Entered the history of KhAI.