Strana 21
UKRAJINA
Ukrainian losses
Ukrainian forces also lost a helicopter
to a drone strike. A Mil Mi-8 was destroyed
at a field landing site near Mykhailivka in
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russia released
footage of the strike on March 6, though
it may have occurred earlier.
Another loss occurred on March 9, when
a Sukhoi Su-27 failed to return from a combat
mission. It was piloted by Colonel Oleksandr
Dovhač, commander of the 39th Tactical
Aviation Brigade. He had been in combat
since the first day of Russia’s invasion and
had flown hundreds of missions—attacking
ground targets, shooting down drones and
cruise missiles, and escorting strike aircraft.
He fought over Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, and
Snake Island. Later, he became commander of
the 39th Brigade and in 2025 was awarded the
title Hero of Ukraine.
He completed his final mission—but at
the cost of his life. Details are unclear,
but according to the Air Force command,
the mission took place under conditions of
strong enemy air superiority and intense air
defense activity, making it likely he was shot
down. He was 52 years old.
Footage from the attack on a Russian Kamov Ka-27 on the Syvash oil platform in the Black Sea.
Footage from a Ukrainian FPV drone attack on a Russian Kamov Ka-52.
A Kamov Ka-52 in an illustrative image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian Colonel Oleksandr Dovhač was killed
when his Sukhoi Su-27 was shot down.
INFO Eduard
21
May 2026