Orest Nikolaevich Borovkov was born on December 14, 1908, in Ivanovo-Voznesensk, into a working-class family. He completed seven years of schooling and a factory apprenticeship school, working as a spinner before joining the military.
He joined the Red Army (RKKA) in 1930, and in 1932, he graduated from the Serpukhov Military School for Pilots and Navigators.
Combat Experience and Distinctions
From March to August 1938, Senior Lieutenant Borovkov participated in the national liberation war in China. He commanded a flight, then a squadron of high-speed bombers, leading a squadron or detachment nine times. During this period, he destroyed and damaged 13 Japanese ships, including a light aircraft carrier.
Upon his return from China, he was given an extraordinary promotion to Major and awarded the Order of the Red Banner. On February 22, 1939, for exemplary fulfillment of special government assignments to strengthen the Soviet Union’s defense capabilities and for demonstrated heroism, Major Orest Nikolaevich Borovkov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, receiving Gold Star Medal number 292.
Military Career and the Great Patriotic War
Subsequently, Borovkov participated in battles on the Khalkhin Gol River and commanded a regiment during the Finnish War. In 1940, he completed advanced training courses (KUKS) at the Zhukovsky Air Force Engineering Academy.
He participated in the Great Patriotic War from June 1941, initially serving as an inspector of piloting techniques for the 3rd Long-Range Bomber Aviation Corps. Later, he became the Deputy Commander of a long-range aviation division.
After the war, Colonel Borovkov served as a senior instructor for military educational institutions, deputy head of the Civil Air Fleet (GVF) administration, and head of the air-shooting service of a military aviation school. He retired to the reserve in 1956 and lived in Kirovohrad, where he passed away on December 14, 1978.