“He was a true leader”: The Air Force reported the death of the legendary pilot Oleksandr Dovgach
The Ukrainian aviation family suffered an irreparable loss. Today, March 9, 2026, while performing a combat mission in the East of the country, the commander of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Hero of Ukraine, Colonel Oleksandr Dovgach, died. This was reported by Comments.ua, the PromPolitInform portal reports.
The flight took place in extremely difficult conditions: the enemy had a significant numerical superiority in the air and actively used powerful air defense systems. Despite the danger, the officer completed the assigned task. However, this flight was his last.
“Unfortunately, we have another painful loss for our aviation family and the entire country,” the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted.
Oleksandr Dovgach was a model of courage and professionalism. From the beginning of the full-scale war, he personally led the most complex operations, and his unit delivered devastating blows to the occupiers. The pilot has hundreds of sorties, destroyed enemy equipment, control points and communications. He defended the skies over the Kyiv region, liberated the Kharkiv and Kherson regions and fought for Zmiiniy Island.
The Ukrainian Air Force emphasizes that the commander always chose the riskiest routes: “He was the first to go into battle, took on the riskiest tasks and inspired his subordinates to bold and decisive actions.” In addition to hitting ground targets, he repeatedly provided cover for his comrades and intercepted enemy missiles and drones.
Currently, all circumstances of the officer’s death are being established. The command and combat comrades express sincere condolences to the family of the fallen Hero. May the memory of the defender of the sky be bright.
