Uładzimir Karvat

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Uładzimir Mikalaevič Karvat (Belarusian: Уладзімір Мікалаевіч Карват, November 28, 1959 – May 23, 1996) was a pilot for the Belarusian Air Force and was the first recipient of the title Hero of Belarus.

Karvat was honored posthumously for his heroic actions, which took place on November 21, 1996, when his training aircraft (a Sukhoi Su-27p) caught fire. Though he was given the order to eject, the plane was heading directly for a populated area. Keeping that in mind, Karvat steered the plane until it crashed 1 km away from the area of Hacišča. President Alexander Lukashenko issued Decree Number 484 that day, awarding Karvat with the title Hero of Belarus. The decree stated: "For heroism while in the performance of military duty, we award Lieutenant Colonel Karvat, Uładzimir Nikolayevich the title "Hero of Belarus" (posthumous).