Penza, 14 September 2012. PenzaNews. The solemn ceremony of handing the Gold Star Medal of the Hero of the Russian Federation to the parents of the deceased major of military unit No. 3219 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Sergey Kustov was held in Penza on Friday, September 14. The event was attended by the governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev, the speaker of the regional parliament Alexander Gulyakov, and the chief inspector-coordinator of the General Headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia Colonel General Sergey Topchiy.

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“I am proud of the fact that Penza gives birth to such heroes as Major Sergey Kustov. The brave feat which he accomplished will remain in our hearts for a long time,” said Vasily Bochkarev adding that a huge role in the development of any person belongs to parents.

“Without proper attention and care of the mother and father Sergey Kustov would not have become the man who will be remembered forever,” the head of the region said.

Sergey Topchiy stated that major Sergey Kustov always performed with courage and heroism during the time of service in the military forces.

“During his lifetime, he took part in over 20 special operations, and there is no doubt that every one of them could have been his last. However, in spite of serious injury, he did not leave the special purpose division,” he stressed.

The mother of the deceased, Galina Kustova thanked the audience for attention to the heroism of her son.

Sergey Kustov was born on October 11, 1971 in the village Grabovo, Bessonovsky area, the Penza region. He graduated from Kazan Higher Tank Command Krasnoznamenskoe Military School, and was allocated to the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, where he served in the reconnaissance troops of one of the special purpose divisions.

Since 1992, he participated in military operations in the area of Ossetian-Ingush conflict. Then, he spent more than a year in Chechnya and was awarded the medal of Distinguished Military Service for bravery, and in 1995, after being wounded — the medal for the Great Service for the Homeland, II Degree with swords.

During the second Chechen campaign in January 2000, one of the units of internal troops was ambushed near the village of Mesker-Yurt district. Sergey Kustov was wounded in the leg, but remained in combat order and successfully directed his men. For his courage Sergey Kustov was submitted for the medal of Hero for the first time, but was awarded the Medal of Zhukov.

In late 2001, Sergey Kustov’s contract with the military unit was coming to its expiration date. On December 1, the major was going to continue his service in the militia as the deputy commander of a special unit of Penza, but was sent to the final trip to Chechnya, and managed eight ambush operations and 13 reconnaissance and search operations, as a result 19 militants were killed, and large quantity of ammunition and explosives were seized.

At night on 22–23 November 2001, Kustov’s operational group was inspecting village Avtury. Major Kustov personally detained several militants. After the inspection his operational group was returning to the base in armored personnel carriers, but on the outskirts of village Shali was ambushed by the enemy, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Major was injured, but continued to lead his men. As a result of his selfless actions, his group was able to hold on until the main back up forces arrived, and got to the safe area. During the evacuation Sergey Kustov died of wounds.

He was buried at home, in village Grabovo, Bessonovsky area, the Penza region.