Ukraine Reports ‘Terrible’ Mid-Air Crash That Killed Three Air Force Pilots
Three Ukrainian air force pilots, including a well-known fighter jet pilot with the call sign “Juice,” were killed in a mid-air collision on Friday, the country’s government said on Saturday.
The accident is a big setback for Kyiv, which was hoping to acquire modern F-16 aircraft to bolster its air force from the Soviet period and boost its counteroffensive.
“We send our sympathies to the victims’ families. For all of us, this is a devastating and irreplaceable loss, the Ukrainian air force stated, calling the accident “terrible.”
Two L-39 combat training aircraft were involved in the incident, which occurred in northern Ukraine’s Zhytomyr area, it said, adding that an investigation was ongoing.
Andrii Pilshchykov, a pilot who went by the call-sign “Juice,” was a young officer with “mega knowledge and mega talent,” according to Air Force spokeswoman Yuriy Ignat.
In a memorial posted on social media, he stated, “Major Andrii Pilshchykov devoted his brief but very bright life to combat aviation, he dreamed of F-16s in the Ukrainian sky.”
“You weren’t just my buddy. You have done so much for us; may you rest in peace,” he said.
