Ukraine [Frogfoot] pilot blamed by Russia ‘kills himself’
A statement from Mykolaiv police on Facebook (in Ukrainian) described Voloshyn’s death as “suicide”, but it is being investigated under the “premeditated murder” section of Ukraine’s penal code.
A military service pistol was found at the scene and is now being examined by experts.
Yuriy Butusov, a Ukrainian journalist, who knew Voloshyn well, commended the pilot after the news of his death, as an ideal airman who had fought bravely against the Russian-backed rebels. Butusov expressed astonishment over his death.
“Dear Vlad, how can this be?! Why?!” he said. “He didn’t let himself break down, he wasn’t depressed at all — he always acted as an exemplary officer.”
According to Butusov, the fighter pilot had bombed Russian paratroops during the battle of Ilovaisk in August 2014, a battle considered to be one of the bloodiest in the Donbass conflict. Over 300 Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed while fighting there.
Butusov added that Voloshyn had been shot down but ultimately taken out from his Su-25, and reached Ukrainian lines despite being severely injured.
“I didn’t hear him speak of any enemies or unresolved problems,” he said, adding that the deceased fighter pilot was happily married and is survived by his wife, a boy and two-year-old girl, according to the BBC
Sources:
The BBC.com
IBT.com
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