A tragic mid-air collision has claimed the lives of one of Ukraine's most celebrated fighter pilots, Andrii Pilshchykov, alongside two other airmen, BBC reports.
Andrii Pilshchykov gained renown for his involvement in dogfights over Kyiv during the early stages of Russia's invasion. The Ukrainian military deeply mourned the loss of these airmen, describing it as a "painful and irreparable" blow. Pilshchykov was honored as a pilot possessing remarkable knowledge and talent.
The crash occurred between two L-39 training planes flying over northern Ukraine. An ongoing investigation is examining whether adherence to flight preparation regulations was properly followed, leading to the tragic incident in Zhytomyr Oblast. This region, located west of the capital Kyiv and distanced from the frontline by hundreds of miles, became the site of the collision.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed these tragic deaths during his nightly video address, asserting that Ukraine would forever remember those who defended its skies. Last autumn, as Russia initiated a barrage of cruise missiles and drones towards Ukraine, Pilshchykov, also known by the call-sign "Juice," spoke to the BBC about the immense pressure he experienced as a MiG-29 fighter pilot entrusted with intercepting these lethal weapons before they caused destruction.
He emphasized the gravity of his mission: "Intercepting the cruise missiles, your mission is to save lives on the ground, to save the city. If you are not able to, it's a terrible feeling that somebody will die. Somebody will die in minutes and you didn't prevent that," he conveyed. Pilshchykov cherished his lifelong aspiration of joining the Ukrainian air force, considering it his mission.
Melaniya Podolyak, a close associate of Pilshchykov, confirmed his passing and shared an image of his air force badge on social media.
The tragic crash and loss of life pose a significant setback for Ukraine, which was preparing to receive up to 61 F-16 fighter jets from its allies to bolster its counteroffensive capabilities. The Pentagon confirmed that English-language training for Ukrainian F-16 operations would commence in Texas in September, followed by flight training in Arizona starting October. Additionally, other Western allies are gearing up to initiate training for Ukrainian pilots later this month.
The comprehensive training to operate F-16s is expected to span approximately five months.
The decision earlier this year by the United States to provide F-16 jets marked a notable reversal, as initial apprehensions centered on potential escalation with nuclear-armed Russia.
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