As we reported, President Ilham Aliyev today - on November 7, 2025 - signed an order on awarding the title of “National Hero of Azerbaijan” to two martyrs.
For his special services in preserving the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and for the bravery he displayed while performing combat missions, Senior Lieutenant Vagif Bakhtiyar oglu Gurbanov (posthumously) was awarded this honorary title.
At the same time, for demonstrating high professionalism, courage, and bravery in ensuring the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and for distinguishing himself while performing his official duties and the tasks assigned to his military unit, Warrant Officer of the Armed Forces Panjali Nurmammad oglu Teymurov (posthumously) also received the honorary title.
It should be recalled that Vagif Gurbanov was martyred in 1992, and Panjali Teymurov in 2016.
According to Modern.az, after this order by the head of state, the number of National Heroes of Azerbaijan has reached 224.
Previously, the honorary title of “National Hero” was awarded by the President's order dated December 30, 2025, posthumously to the crew members who died while performing the Baku-Grozny flight of an “Embraer 190” type passenger aircraft belonging to “Azerbaijan Airlines” airline: Captain Igor Kshnyakin, Pilot Alexander Kalyanov, and Flight Attendant Hokuma Aliyeva. They were awarded the honorary title for properly performing their official duties and demonstrating high professionalism, courage, and self-sacrifice in saving the lives of passengers when the aircraft flying the Baku-Grozny route crashed in Aktau.
Out of Azerbaijan's 224 National Heroes, 15 are alive.
A. Gafarli
