Two combat training aircraft collide in Zhytomyr region, killing three pilots
Two L-39 combat trainer aircraft collided in the Zhytomyr region, a Radio Liberty correspondent working at the scene reports.
The two planes crashed into the gardens of private houses, with an approximate distance of 300 meters between them. No local residents were injured, and there were no damaged buildings or people. The military removed the last wreckage from the crash site at about 15:30.
According to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the plane crash occurred on August 25. While performing a combat mission, two L-39 aircraft collided in the sky near Zhytomyr. Three Ukrainian pilots were killed.
The State Bureau of Investigation has already started criminal proceedings. Law enforcement officers will check whether the planes were in good condition and whether the rules of flight preparation were followed. Specialists will diagnose the “black boxes”.
The crash killed a well-known Ukrainian fighter pilot from the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Andriy Pilshchykov, call sign “Juice”. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, he has been defending the skies of Ukraine, including the defense of Kyiv.
“Jus has repeatedly given interviews to Ukrainian and Western media in which he called for modern fighter jets to be provided to Ukraine.
“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.
