On the night of August 22-23, a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter aircraft crashed during the landing approach after completing a combat mission, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on its Telegram channel. The pilot, Maj. Serhiy Bondar, born in 1979, died.

Maj. Bondar served in the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade “Ghost of Kyiv” and was deputy squadron commander. Serhiy returned to service after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Bondar had been recognized for his service earlier this year. On June 6, 2025, he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class, by presidential decree.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

The causes and circumstances of the crash are being established.