Leading Ukrainian test pilot killed in Su-24 crash in western Ukraine

A leading test pilot at Ukraine’s state-owned Antonov enterprise was among those killed in the crash of a Su-24 bomber in western Ukraine on June 16.

According to Bohodukhiv City Council, the pilot was identified as one of Antonov’s senior test pilots, known for his extensive flight experience and public demonstrations of advanced manoeuvres, Caliber.Az reports. 

Earlier reports said a Su-24M front-line bomber from the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Petro Franko of the Ukrainian Air Force crashed in the Khmelnytskyi region, killing both crew members — pilot and navigator Major Bohdan Zagorulko and Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko.

The agency said Zagorulko had previously worked as one of Antonov’s leading test pilots and gained recognition for performing a “barrel roll” manoeuvre on an Indian An-32RE military transport aircraft. Following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, he was mobilised into the Ukrainian Air Force and trained to fly the Su-24M.

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash.

By Sabina Mammadli