Three pilots of the Air Force of Ukraine killed in the Zhytomyr region

On Friday, August 25, a plane crash occurred in the Zhytomyr region, killing three Ukrainian military pilots.

The Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Saturday, August 26.

While performing a combat mission, the crews of two L-39 combat trainer aircraft collided in mid-air.

As a result, all three pilots were killed. An investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

The Air Force reported that among the killed was a well-known Ukrainian pilot of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade with the call sign JUICE. Media reports say his name was Andrii Pilshchykov. He was a MiG-29 fighter pilot.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the young pilot has been defending the skies of Ukraine, flying dozens of combat missions. He participated in the air defense of the capital.

JUICE urged the partner countries to provide Ukraine with modern F-16 fighter jets and traveled to the United States to talk to U.S. officials and politicians. The military officer repeatedly gave extensive interviews to Ukrainian and Western media.

In May 2022, Captain Andrii Pilshchykov was awarded the Order for Courage, 3rd grade, by a decree of the President of Ukraine.

The Air Force Command expressed condolences to the relatives of the fallen pilots.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated over the plane crash in the Zhytomyr region, the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

According to the investigation, on August 25, 2023, two L-39 combat training aircraft collided in the sky in the Zhytomyr region. The tragedy killed three pilots of the Air Forces of Ukraine. The circumstances of the crash are being investigated.

The priority investigative actions are currently underway: the scene is being inspected, witnesses are being questioned, and a set of examinations has been ordered to be conducted in the criminal proceedings. The pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings is carried out by the State Bureau of Investigation.