In a solemn church ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Andriy Pilshchykov, a celebrated fighter pilot known by the callsign Juice. Pilshchykov, who was just 30 years old, tragically lost his life in an air disaster during a training exercise. As an influential figure in Ukraine's air force, he had been actively advocating for Western governments to provide F-16 fighter jets to support Ukraine's military efforts against Russia. The loss of Pilshchykov is a devastating blow to Ukraine's military, which has been locked in a fierce battle with Russia.

"Promise me that I will fly the first F-16 instead of my son" - mother of fighter pilot Juice , who died in a plane crash over #Zhytomyr region

Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk undertook to fulfill the request of the hero's mother. pic.twitter.com/c0u82AXdqL

— Aurora Borealis 🤫 (@aborealis940) August 29, 2023

Natalia Menesheva, a dentist who attended the ceremony, expressed the painful impact of his death, stating, "Unfortunately, the number of deaths is already so high, but every death is painful. These are irreparable losses, the best of the nation are dying. Young, talented, handsome. It's very painful." Pilshchykov, along with two other pilots, lost his life when two L-39 combat training aircraft collided. His funeral procession was somber, with six soldiers in uniform unloading his coffin from a green van and carrying it inside the cathedral while the bell tolled. His girlfriend, devastated by the loss, looked down and sobbed, while Pilshchykov's mother stood beside her, joined by a young man in an air force pilot's jumpsuit who held a photo of the fallen pilot with bowed head.

Known for his dedication and ambition, Pilshchykov was one of the first pilots chosen to assess Ukraine's readiness to fly F-16s during a delegation visit to the United States. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recognized Pilshchykov's vital contributions, describing him as one who greatly helped the state. The aspiration to train on F-16s was a dream for Pilshchykov, but tragically, he did not live to see it fulfilled. His friend, Yulia Reshitko, shared his disappointment, saying, "He really wanted to train on F-16s, and as I understand it, he was supposed to go and train on this plane very soon... he just didn't make it to this moment that he dreamed about."

Pilshchykov's mother, after the ceremony, made a heart-wrenching request to the air force commander, asking to be taken on the first F-16 flight in Ukraine as a tribute to her son. The commander, moved by her plea, assured her that he would take her on the flight instead. The emotional exchange was a powerful testament to the deep impact Pilshchykov had on those around him.

Before becoming a pilot, Pilshchykov was an enthusiastic plane spotter and joined the 40th tactical aviation brigade in 2016. He earned his nickname, Juice, during a visit to California in 2019, as part of Ukraine's efforts to align with NATO military standards, by simply ordering juice when he went to bars. Andriy Pilshchykov's untimely death has left a void in Ukraine's air force and serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the sacrifices made by the nation's brave servicemen and women in the face of ongoing conflict. His legacy as a passionate advocate for Ukrainian military reform and determination to defend his country will be forever remembered.