ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 314958
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| Date: | Friday 2 June 2023 |
| Time: | |
| Type: |  Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29MU2 |
| Owner/operator: | Ukrainian Air Force |
| Registration: | 12 White |
| MSN: | 2960729356 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Pokrovsk, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast -
 Ukraine
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | |
On 2 June 2023, a Ukrainian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29MU2 (bort: 12 White / serial: 2960729356) was shot down by forces of the Russian Federation in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast. Pokrovsk is located in Ukrainian controlled territory, close to the line of contact.
The pilot, Major Vladyslav Mykhailovych Savieliev, callsign "Nomad" of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade was killed in action. Ukrainian sources state that the aircraft was hit by a Russian air-defence missile.
Later, on 3 June 2023, the Russian Defence Ministry initially reported that a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 had been shot down by air defence forces in the vicinity of the settlement of Koptevo the previous day. However, this claim is likely to actually be Savieliev's MiG-29 as this location is only 16km from the previously mentioned town of Pokrovsk.
Savieliev had graduated from the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University of Ukraine in 2019, with experience in flying the Soviet origin MiG-29 fighter. He then participated in Ukrainian military operations in the disputed Donbass region from 2019 to 2021. From 2021 to 2023, Savieliev participated in the United States Air Force Aviation Leadership Program consisting of English language training, as well as conversion training on the T-6 Texan II trainer, graduating in March 2023. Students also participate in the United States Department of Defence Field Studies Program and other courses “to promote better awareness and understanding of the democratic institutions and social framework of the U.S.,” according to the US Air Force. Savieliev returned to Ukraine after not flying in his old jet, the MiG-29, for at least two years, being killed in action shortly after.
Some aviation commentators have noted that pilots often find it challenging to transition between Western and Soviet aircraft due to differences in design philosophy, cockpit layouts, avionics systems, and flight characteristics. In addition, it is suggested that the training program may have led to the diminishment of Savieliev's capabilities in the MiG-29 fighter, with his “new norm” being adjusted to peacetime flying a propeller-driven trainer.
As one instructor said, “I flew with him on a low-level training sortie. What was I supposed to teach him? The guy was more advanced than any foreign student I’d ever seen. T-6 flying was diminishing his MiG-29 flight skills, not improving them.” US military analysts have suggested that the Aviation Leadership Program should be supplemented with flight time on the Vietnam era T-38 Talon jet trainer.
It is noteworthy that the aircraft indicated to have been shot down is a rare Ukrainian MiG-29MU2. the MiG-29MU2 upgrade improves upon the MiG29MU1 upgrade developed at the Lviv State Aircraft Plant, focusing on precision air-to-ground capabilities, as well as improved onboard avionics. A miniscule number of these upgraded aircraft are known to exist. Furthermore, public information states that the aircraft in question was assigned to the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, rather than Savieliev's 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade. However, it is likely that the aircraft, or pilot was reassigned due to critical pilot and aircraft shortages amid the ongoing conflict. This is backed up with information stating that Savieliev performed a SEAD mission with Captain Andrii Borysovych Pilshchykov, callsign "Juice" of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade on the morning of 2 June 2023, firing American origin AGM-88 HARM anti radiation missiles. However, while performing another air to ground sortie later that evening, Savieliev met his end.
In August 2023, the loss of the pilot and aircraft were acknowledged on the official Facebook page of the Ukrainian Air Force, with a "piano burning" ceremony taking place. Historically, this has been a tradition of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) in comparison to the historically Soviet style and traditions of the Ukrainian Air Force. It was stated that his colleagues decided to say goodbye in this manner as "That's what the Americans do, that's what Savelyev bequeathed."
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/688482899986328
https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusAFB/videos/766509838362423/
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583923143772752
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/15/us-trained-ukraine-pilot-00102188
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/06/15/us-training-ukraine-pilot-death/
https://2day.kh.ua/ua/kharkow/zahynuv-viyskovyy-lotchyk-vypusknyk-khnupsa
https://dostyp.com.ua/novini/zalishivsya-nazavzhdi-v-nebi-v-kropivnickomu-poproshalisya-z-26-richnim-pilotom-foto/
https://t.me/mod_russia/27063
https://t.me/mod_russia/27064
Media:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-Jun-2023 08:35 | AlxSrgv | Added |
| 09-Dec-2023 08:23 | Anon. | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Location, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 09-Dec-2023 08:50 | Anon. | Updated [Embed code] |
| 11-Feb-2024 14:23 | Anon. | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
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