Ukraine said on Saturday that three of its air force pilots, including a renowned fighter pilot known as “Juice,” were killed in a mid-air collision during an airborne training exercise on Friday.
The accident marks a major setback for Kiev, which has been trying to secure advanced F-16 jets to bolster its Soviet-era air force and advance its counter-offensive against the Russian invasion.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims. This is a painful and irreparable loss for all of us,” the Ukrainian Air Force said, describing the accident as “terrible”.
The crash took place in the Zhytomyr region of northern Ukraine and involved two L-39 combat trainer aircraft, the statement said, adding that an investigation had been opened.
Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said one of the dead pilots – Andrii Pilshchykov – who went by the callsign “Juice” was a young officer with “mega knowledge and mega talent.”
“Major Andrii Pilshchykov devoted his short but very brilliant life to aviation combat and dreamed of F-16s in the Ukrainian skies,” said the Air Force spokesman in a tribute shared on social networks.
“He was more than a friend. Rest in peace, he has done a lot for us,” he added.
Source: DN
