A mid-air collision claimed the lives of three airmen, including one of Ukraine’s most renowned fighter pilots.
During the initial stages of Russia’s invasion, Andrii Pilshchykov gained popularity by taking part in dogfights over Kyiv.
The Ukrainian military described Pilshchykov as a pilot with “mega knowledge and mega talent,” and it referred to the airmen’s deaths as “painful and irreparable” losses.
Two L-39 training aircraft were involved in the crash while they were flying over northern Ukraine.
The cause of the crash on Friday in Zhytomyr Oblast is being looked into, along with any improper application of flight preparation regulations. The area is hundreds of miles away from the frontline and located to the west of Kyiv, the capital.
In his weekly video message, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the fatalities and pledged that his nation would “never forget anyone who defended the free skies of Ukraine.”
Pilshchykov, who flew under the call sign “Juice,” told to the BBC about the pressure he faced as a MiG-29 fighter pilot entrusted with trying to intercept the lethal weapons before they impacted Ukraine last October when Russia unleashed hundreds of cruise missiles and drones at the country.
“Intercepting the cruise missiles, your job is to save the people on the ground, to save the city. It is awful to think that someone will die if you are unable. “Someone will pass away in a matter of minutes, and you failed to stop it,” he remarked.
Additionally, he discussed his “mission,” or lifetime “dream,” of joining the Ukrainian air force.
By sharing a photo of Pilshchykov’s air force insignia on social media, his companion Melaniya Podolyak also confirmed his passing.
The accident and fatalities are a big setback for Ukraine, which is getting ready to receive up to 61 F-16 fighter jets from its allies in an effort to crank up its counteroffensive.
The Pentagon announced on Thursday that English-language instruction for Ukrainian pilots on using F-16s will start in Texas in September, and Arizona flight training will start in October. Other Western allies, meanwhile, are getting ready to start training Ukrainians later this month.
It should take about five months to complete the necessary training to pilot an F-16.
The American decision to provide F-16 jets earlier this year was a U-turn. This is due to the US and its Nato partners’ fears that greater escalation with nuclear-armed Russia might result from the action, which they had previously rejected.
Yurii Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, paid tribute to Pilshchykov in a message published on his Facebook page.
“A year ago in the USA, Andrii met with American government representatives, brought up the Air Force’s urgent needs, was in constant contact with Californian pilots, and was the main proponent of an advocacy group promoting many decisions on the F-16s [supply],” Ihnat added.
He gave dozens of interviews to Western media throughout the war since he was fluent in English, and the most crucial subject was what should and may be discussed for Ukraine.
BBC
