Oleg Hegelsky, a Russian hit songwriter and officer, has died in the war against Ukraine.

The Defense Forces have eliminated poet and songwriter Oleg Hegelsky, aged 60, known for his work with Russian pop stars. He was born in Cherkasy but voluntarily joined the Russian army and fought against Ukraine. This information was reported by Russian propagandists, including the television company RT, citing Hegelsky's wife.

According to Oleg Hegelsky's wife, Polina, the deceased poet signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces in September 2024. He fought against Ukraine as part of the 56th Guards Air Assault Regiment, stationed in occupied Crimea.

“He was sent on a mission; they were traveling in a vehicle through the so-called gray zone and came under artillery fire. That’s how he was lost,” Hegelsky's wife recounted.

Oleg Hegelsky was born in Cherkasy in 1964, but he spent most of his life in Russia. He is the author of numerous songs for Valery Leontiev, Angelika Varum, Mikhail Shufutinsky, and others. Additionally, Hegelsky participated in combat operations in Chechnya, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia. According to Russian propagandists, Oleg Hegelsky was also a special forces officer in Russian intelligence.

It should be noted that the Russian 56th Air Assault Regiment participated in the capture of Kherson and the airfield in Chornobayivka. After retreating from Kherson, the regiment took positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. In March 2023, some of its units were redeployed to the Zaporizhzhia region near the village of Robotyne. Following significant losses, the 56th Air Assault Regiment was reinforced with imprisoned Russians who had signed contracts with the Russian army.