Alexey Martynenko awarded Order of Courage posthumously for saving children from fire in Kholdomi camp

By the Order of the President of the Russian Federation, Alexey Martynenko who participated in saving children from a fire in the Kholdomi camp in July 2019 has been awarded the Order of Courage posthumously. Alexey himself received heavy burns, and the doctors could not have saved his life.

Today in Khabarovsk, Head of the Educational Outreach Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia Sergey Petrov presented the award to the young hero’s parents upon the instruction of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia. Participants of the solemn gathering honored with a minute of silence the memory of the young hero who sacrificed his life to save others.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia ordered to award Alexey Martynenko with the Valor and Courage medal posthumously.

Alexey Martynenko was a fifth-grade student of Lyceum No. 1 of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. His teachers and classmates describe him as a clever, well-behaving boy. Alexey’s mentors and friends were devastated about his demise. Still, those who have known him are proud of his deed. According to witnesses, Alexey’s tent was next to the one that caught fire that night. He got out of his tent and could have escaped easily, but stayed to help the caretakers to save the rest of the children, he did his best to avoid panic, which in moments of emergency could lead to even more tragic consequences.

Alexey’s worthy deed deserves the highest moral praise. Kids like him are an example for the future generation, true patriots, who care, who can lend a helping hand in difficult moments. The memory of his feat will live forever.