3 Ukrainian pilots killed in L-39 collision near Kiev, 'Juice' dead
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Two L-39 aircraft crashed with one another in the sky of Zhytomyr, near Kiev, after a maneuverability error caused them to collide, killing all those on board.
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L-39 Albatros jets of the Breitling Jet Team, perform at an aerobatic show at Faliro coast in Athens, Greece, October 15, 2011 (AP)
Two Ukrainian Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft collided during a combat mission over Zhytomyr Oblast, near Kiev, Aviation Safety reported.
The collision, which occurred while the aircraft were flying in formation, resulted in the loss of both planes and the lives of all three pilots on board. Ukrainian media initially reported the demise of the pilots but later retracted their statements.
Among the victims of the crash was a renowned figure within the Ukrainian Air Force, known by the call sign "Juice."
The pilot, who has gained popularity for his efforts in engaging with Western media, had been vocal about the lack of modern fighter jets within the Ukrainian Air Force. Additionally, "Juice" had been a strong advocate for Ukraine's acquisition of advanced F-16 fighter jets, aiming to bolster the country's aerial capabilities.
Підтримуємо! І про ППО не забуваємо)@BackAndAlive @okkoua @NP_official_ua pic.twitter.com/APQDFBxZxf
— Juice_Fighter (@_juicefighter_) August 22, 2023
The identity of the pilot from the second aircraft involved in the collision remains undisclosed at this time.
Adding to the tension of the situation, Ukrainian air defense systems and aircraft were on high alert during the incident, as reports indicated the presence of a Russian Mikoyan MiG-31 aircraft in flight. This particular aircraft is equipped with the capability to launch Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles.
Lackluster maneuverability
Likewise, Russian media have mentioned details regarding the crash of the two planes, clarifying that "one of the planes collided with the tail of the other during the flight."
They noted that "the nature of the flight, whether it was a training mission, was not confirmed," a statement that was later echoed by Ukrainian media, referring to the planes as two training-type Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft.
Russian media pointed out that "it is possible that the planes were patrolling, but the collision occurred a few minutes after an alert for an airstrike was announced throughout Ukraine due to the flight of a Russian aircraft carrying hypersonic Kinzhal missiles from an airport in Belarus."
Analysis suggested that the pilots might have insisted on staying in close formation, attempting to deceive and engage in missile defense maneuvers against incoming missiles.
This tactic could mislead opposing fighter radar systems into detecting only one aircraft, a ploy that would later allow them to separate as they approached the target for a surprise attack. However, an error occurred that resulted in one of the planes colliding with the other.
This happened despite reports confirming no launches of Kinzhal missiles on the day of the collision between the two Ukrainian Aero L-39 planes, according to both Russian and Ukrainian media.
The loss of the three pilots could potentially impact Ukraine's efforts, as the country is striving to rapidly train its aircrews in the usage of the F-16 fighter aircraft. Western nations have pledged to send up to 61 such planes to Kiev in recent days.
