The Kharkiv Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots (KhVVAUL) named after S.I. Gritsevets was a prestigious institution dedicated to training military pilots. Established on November 12, 1930, as the 9th Military School of Pilots, it underwent several transformations throughout its history. In 2003, it was reorganized into the Ivan Kozhedub Kharkiv National Air Force University.
Over the decades, KhVVAUL produced numerous distinguished aviators, including:
The institution played a pivotal role in advancing both military aviation and space exploration.
The original campus of KhVVAUL was situated in the Rohan district of Kharkiv, at 1 Serhiy Tarkhov Street. Following the school's closure in 1993, the premises were left without proper maintenance. Some buildings were repurposed by private enterprises for storage or manufacturing, while others fell into disrepair. The campus once housed numerous military aircraft; however, after the closure, all but a MiG-21 at one entrance were removed. Currently, parts of the area are occupied by garages, and certain structures are being dismantled for building materials.
Among the key structures on the former campus was the expansive Officers' Club, which hosted meetings with Heroes of the Soviet Union and various events. Today, the building is in a state of disrepair: interiors are destroyed, ceilings have collapsed, and walls are cracked. The headquarters of the school has also suffered significant damage, including the collapse of all floor levels. Some residential buildings remain, inhabited by former staff and their families. Overall, the infrastructure reflects a lack of upkeep and the gradual decline of what was once a vital educational institution.
Despite the deterioration of its physical structures, the legacy of KhVVAUL endures through its alumni and their contributions to aviation and space exploration. The institution's history is a testament to its significant role in shaping military aviation training and fostering talent that achieved remarkable feats in the 20th century.
