Ukrainian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Ivanov died on December 8, 2025 during a combat mission in the eastern sector of the front line, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
The Incident
The incident occurred at noon on December 8 in the eastern sector, killing Ivanov, who served as the senior navigator of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade. The Air Force announcement provided no details about what mission the pilot was carrying out at the time of his death.
The circumstances of the pilot’s death are currently under investigation. The Air Force has not disclosed whether the Su-27 aircraft was lost or what factors contributed to the fatal incident.
“We express our sincere condolences to the pilot’s family and friends,” the Air Force said in its statement.
Ongoing Pilot Losses
Several Ukrainian pilots have been killed since Russia began its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Recent casualties include:
Major Serhii Bondar: The MiG-29 pilot died on August 23, 2025 during landing after completing a combat mission. Bondar, born in 1979, had received a state award in June 2025 from President Volodymyr Zelensky “for personal courage shown in protecting the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Ustymenko: The F-16 pilot died in June 2025 while repelling a massive Russian aerial attack of 477 drones and 60 missiles. Ustymenko shot down seven targets that night before his aircraft was damaged and lost altitude, leading to a crash.
Su-27 in Ukrainian Service
The Su-27 remains the Ukrainian Air Force’s primary heavy fighter aircraft. The twin-engine, single-seat fighter is actively used for intercepting air targets and providing air support to ground forces.
Ukrainian Su-27s have been documented carrying AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles for suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as dropping precision-guided munitions including the SDB-1, JDAM-ER, and AASM-250.
The Air Force has not released information about the total number of Su-27 losses during the war, though several incidents have been publicly acknowledged when pilots were killed or successfully ejected.
