Three pilots died in a plane crash in the Zhytomyr region, including the MiG-29 "Jus" pilot

On August 25, in the afternoon, L-39 training planes collided in the Zhytomyr region, three pilots were killed. Among them was the pilot of a MiG-29 military fighter with the call sign "Jus", who had flown dozens of sorties since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces confirmed the deaths of the pilots.

“We are sad to announce that on August 25, 2023, a terrible plane crash occurred in the Zhytomyr region. During a combat mission in the sky, the crews of two L-39 training and combat aircraft collided. Unfortunately, all three pilots Among the dead is a well-known pilot of the 40th anniversary of the tactical aviation brigade with the call sign "Jus", the soldiers said.

The Air Force said it was currently investigating the tragedy and expressed its condolences to the families of the killed Ukrainian pilots.

The SBU launched an investigation into the accident

The State Bureau of Investigation announced that it was investigating the circumstances of the crash of the L-39 combat trainer aircraft in the Zhytomyr region.

“Particular attention will be paid to the examination of the technical condition of the aircraft, compliance with the rules of preparation for flights. Professional experts will carry out a thorough diagnosis of the "black boxes", according to law enforcement officials.

Initial Qualification: violation of or preparation for flight rules. The sanction of the article provides for a penalty in the form of imprisonment up to 15 years.

Who is the pilot with the call sign "Jus"

Pilot of the MiG-29 "Jus" fighter in an interview with the Western media, without giving his name, called on Western partners to provide Ukraine with modern fighters. In 2022, he visited the United States and met with US President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and US lawmakers.

In 2018, he took part in the international exercise "Clean Sky 2018". It then received the call sign "Jus".

With the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, "Jus" defended the skies of Ukraine, participating in the air defense of Kyiv and other territories.

“My first days were very unusual for a pilot. When I arrived at the airport as a result of the alarm, the planes were already dispersed to other airports. Therefore, there was no need for me to be a pilot. This is not surprising because there are always more pilots than airplanes. That's why I dealt with the ground defense of the airport, there was a threat of diversion and reconnaissance groups (DRGs) and enemy landings" - the pilot told about the first days of full-scale war in an interview for DW.

According to him, thanks to cooperation with special services and volunteers, the airport was secured. At the same time, we managed to service and arm the arriving aircraft. That's how the first two weeks passed. At that time, "Jus" was already performing tasks directly as a pilot in the plane.

In the first months of the war, when the Russians were driven out of northern Ukraine, he covered attack aircraft. As the pilot said in April 2023, at that time the battle line was changing rapidly and air defenses were maneuvering. As a result, there was no clear picture of the surrounding situation.

“This not knowing where you are going is stressful and gives you a certain wanderlust. Now in the eastern direction there are also risky tasks, although everything is clearer and more predictable. That's why you're adjusting mentally. Sometimes you jokingly think that it's better not to know about the threats, and maybe it would be easier, because that's how you wind up. However, after more than a year of war, everyone got used to it,” said the pilot.

The death of "Jus" was announced by Melania Podolyak on the social network X (formerly Twitter).