Tragic Mid-Air Collision Claims Lives of Ukrainian Fighter Ace and Two Pilots

Ukraine mourns the loss of one of its most celebrated fighter pilots, Andrii Pilshchykov, and two other airmen who were killed in a mid-air crash involving two L-39 training planes. The crash occurred in Zhytomyr Oblast, west of Kyiv, and an investigation is underway to determine if flight preparation rules were followed. Pilshchykov, known as "Juice," gained fame for his role in dogfights during Russia's invasion. Ukraine is preparing to receive F-16 fighter jets from its allies, but the loss of Pilshchykov is a major setback as he played a crucial role in advocating for the acquisition of these aircraft.