Famous Ukrainian Pilot ‘Juice’ Dies In Mid-Air Collision

“Juice” was aboard one of the two L-39s that collided in Zhytomyr Region during a combat mission.

One of the most famous Ukrainian Air Force pilots, better known by his callsign “Juice” was killed alongside two other pilots in a  mid-air collision between two Ukrainian L-39 aircraft on the evening of Aug. 25, 2023. The incident occurred int the Zhytomyr Oblast, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed.

On August 25, 2023, a plane crash occurred in Zhytomyr Region.
During a combat mission, two L-39 aircraft collided in the sky.
Three pilots died.
Among the dead is a pilot with the call sign “JUICE”.
We express our condolences to the families of the victims. pic.twitter.com/LOrvhFsmvk

— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) August 26, 2023

Juice’s real name was Major Andrii Pilshchykov, a 2nd Class pilot and a recipient of the Order of Courage, 3rd Class. Major Pilshchykov became known to everyone for the first-hand accounts he provided to the western media since the beginning of the Russian invasion via his social media accounts.

A tragic loss. On August 25th, two L-39 military jets collided over the Zhytomyr region. Three pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force lost their lives. One of them was Major Andrii Pilshchykov, a 2nd Class pilot and a recipient of the Order of Courage, 3rd Class, known by the callsign… pic.twitter.com/Oa8cHUX1D8

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) August 26, 2023

He was also among the pilots that visited Washington on behalf of the Ukrainian Air Force to ask for western fighters to the US Congress last year, acting as an informal ambassador of the service. Tributes are pouting for Juice across social medias, including from Ukrainian President Zelensky, who paid homage to him and the other two pilots during the message for Ukraine’s Aviation Day.

Today is Ukraine’s Aviation Day. We are working to receive F-16s this year to begin its new chapter.

Sadly, there is also tragic news. Yesterday, a catastrophe in the sky over the Zhytomyr region killed three pilots, including Andriy Pilschikov, callsign “Juice”.

My heart goes… pic.twitter.com/DSahAg3vom

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 26, 2023