A Colleague We Lost: The Wife of Fallen Hero Konstantin Ryzhikov Shares His Story

TopFrame Group has been operating for 25 years, and our success has always been built on a close-knit team of professionals who have become a true family over the years.

In any family there are moments not only of joy, but also of deep sorrow. We lost our colleague Konstantin Ryzhikov, who worked with us from 2024 as a Senior Tallyman and First-Class Inspector. At TopFrame, Konstantin carried out vital, highly responsible work: supervising loading and discharge operations, tallying cargo and preparing primary inspection documentation.

A year ago, Konstantin volunteered for military service, where he fell in the line of duty while carrying out a critical mission and was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

Konstantin's wife, Daria, shared her memories of her husband and his bravery:

"Kostya was a deeply honest and principled man with a strong sense of justice. He was a dedicated, hardworking specialist who never shied away from difficult tasks.

Kostya could find common ground with anyone. He respected people for who they were rather than their job title. He never let anyone down for personal gain—that was an absolute rule for him. Good people were always drawn to him.

For Kostya, no task was impossible. Having grown up through a difficult childhood, he learned early on to rely on his own resourcefulness in any situation.

At TopFrame, Kostya quickly built rapport with colleagues across every site. He could call any port or branch directly to resolve an issue without bureaucratic delays. He anticipated potential problems and their consequences before anyone else, thinking several steps ahead and helping colleagues prevent difficult situations with a timely phone call.

Despite all his talents, he was a modest man who never boasted. His father raised him with a strong sense of dignity, fairness, honesty and integrity.

Kostya was passionate about technology and could repair almost anything, building computers from his teenage years. In 2014, he joined the aircraft manufacturing plant in Ulyanovsk as an apprentice aircraft electrical fitter, earning his third qualification grade within five months and becoming a shop supervisor a year later.

In 2021, he graduated from Ulyanovsk State Technical University with a degree in Information Systems and Technologies. From 2024, he worked at TopFrame as a Senior Tallyman. In 2025, he made the decision to volunteer for service under a one-year contract.

After training, only three men from his unit were selected for the UAV detachment—my husband and two others—where his technical knowledge, ability to repair any equipment and leadership qualities were immediately recognised by his commander.

In April 2026, Kostya was due to come home on two weeks' leave, just in time for my birthday, and was eagerly looking forward to seeing our sons and surprising our five-year-old at kindergarten. Kostya fell on 22 March in the Krasnoarmeysk district. It was at the military commissariat that I learned he had been posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

He always saw every mission through to the end. He was the strongest, most courageous and bravest man I have ever met in my life."

We thank Daria for sharing the story of her husband.

We express our deep gratitude to Konstantin's parents for raising a son who was a true friend, a dependable colleague and a hero.

"Konstantin always approached every assignment with care and precision, strictly followed operational procedures and never let his colleagues down. We knew we could always count on him. He was not only an outstanding specialist, but also a wonderful comrade whom everyone deeply respected," noted Evgeny Massalitin, Executive Director of TopFrame Agro.

Konstantin's passing is a heavy loss for the entire TopFrame team. It was an honour for us to work alongside such a courageous and reliable colleague.

We extend our deepest condolences and support to his family.

Management and Team of TopFrame Group