Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov, a Ukrainian Fighter Jet Pilot Who Dedicated His Life to Safeguarding Ukrainian Skies

Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov fundamentally changed the way people in the US and all around the world viewed Ukrainian fighter pilots. He shattered the stereotype of the old Soviet-minded pilot, showing the world a new generation of Ukrainian aviators. Without his influence, Ukraine might not have the F-16s it has today. On August 25th, 2023, he tragically lost his life, yet his legacy lives on—with the first F-16 fighter jets appearing in Ukrainian skies this August.

Andrii’s early years

Andrii, born in 1993 in Kharkiv, developed a love for airplanes during his school days. He’d often visit local airfields, sparking a lifelong fascination with flight.

By 2008, Andrii co-founded a local air spotting group in Kharkiv, taking hundreds of aircraft photos. He then created a blog on the topic, which he kept active until 2019.

He experienced his first flight with the Civil Air Patrol, soaring in a Kh-32-912 Bekas aircraft. Andrii later volunteered to give introductory flights to the NGO’s cadets, teaching the next generation of aviators.

Military aviation remained Andrii’s ultimate dream. He initially aimed for the prestigious Air Force University but the condition of myopia forced him to choose another path. Wasting no time, he enrolled in the National Aerospace University in Kharkiv, another step on his journey to the skies.

During the first year of his studies, he risked undergoing laser vision correction in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. Successful vision treatment opened the way to military aviation in 2011.

Andrii traveled to Norway in 2014, where he got to sit inside the cockpit of a local F-16.

He was part of the first group to participate in the new five-year pilots training program. On April 19, 2016, he completed his first solo flight in a MiG-29 fighter jet.

“Andrii was a man of extraordinary ambition and courage. Inspired by the heroic archetypes of American cinema and historical military figures, he sought to embody the ultimate hero in his own life. His unwavering determination and creativity, combined with a sharp intellect, transformed him into an iconic figure in Ukrainian aviation. Beneath the bold exterior lay a true Cossack patriot, driven by an unyielding pursuit of perfection. His relentless drive to overcome challenges propelled him forward, ultimately culminating in the realization of his life’s mission: securing F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine’s defense,” Andrii’s mom, Lilia Averianova said during our interview with her.

Call sign “Juice” and the “Ghost of Kyiv” mystery

After graduating in the summer of 2016, Andrii joined the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade based in Vasylkiv, Ukraine.

In 2018, Andrii participated in the “Clear Sky 2018” international exercise, where he was one of the lead planners.

Later that year, he traveled to California for an internship at the Air National Guard Base, where he even got to fly an F-15 fighter jet. It was during this California stay that he earned the call sign “Juice” from American pilots who noticed that he always chose juice after training, as he didn’t drink alcohol at all.

Andrii was deeply impressed by the positive attitude American citizens displayed towards their military, which contrasted with outdated practices within the Ukrainian Air Force at that time.

Even though he faced resistance from traditionalist officers, he remained committed to modernization. Andrii also actively assisted the Air Force press service in creating high-quality media content. His contributions significantly improved their public communication efforts.

When Russia began its full-scale invasion to Ukraine, Andrii immediately packed his belongings, donated his car to the infantry, and rushed to his military unit, rejoining the Air Force.

Andrii was a highly skilled pilot, able to hit tiny targets like the Orlan drone, which looked insignificant next to his MiG-29.

By May 7th, 2022, “Juice” had already logged a staggering 500 hours of combat flight time.

Andrii’s mentor from the Civil Air Patrol, “Stalker”, explained that the “Ghost of Kyiv” legend emerged as a way to mock the Russians who claimed to have destroyed all Ukrainian aircraft on the first day of the war.

Andrii, known for his sharp wit, said, “Here we are, fighting them in the very planes they supposedly destroyed! Who are we? Ghosts!”

He viewed Russian pilots as cowards, quick to retreat after initial engagements.

Ukraine’s Air Force later revealed the “Ghost of Kyiv” to represent the combined efforts and successes of the entire 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade.

An advocate for reform

Andrii strongly believed that F-16 fighter jets could significantly improve Ukraine’s defenses. He frequently gave interviews explaining how these planes could help protect cities from missiles and retake occupied land.

“Of course, they will still hunt us,” Andrii said. “But it will be a fair fight. And for now, we have nothing to answer them with.”

His dedication led him to travel to the United States, where he spoke directly with the US Senators and Representatives about this important need for Ukraine.

His message reached a wide audience through interviews with major publications like The Washington Post, Financial Times, CNN, FOX News, and BBC News. In these interviews, he urged Western partners to provide Ukraine with the advanced fighter jets they desperately needed.

In June 2022, he teamed up with another pilot, “Moonfish”, and with actor Sean Penn, to lobby US lawmakers directly.

Their efforts, including a meeting with Congressman Kinzinger, who helped to introduce the “Ukraine Fighter Pilots Act” in June 2022, gaining bipartisan support from several House members.

“At that time, we were coming literally from the battlefield to report on the state of affairs. Our delegation primarily raised the issue of air defense, which was the most critical weapon at the time. Thank God, we were helped with this, and now Ukraine has Patriot, NASAMS, IRIS-T systems. The guys have mastered all this and are using it very successfully. We can say that they believed us and entrusted us with air defense,” Andrii described his trip to the US.

“Juice” emphasized the strategic advantage of F-16s. “Their extended range with Western weaponry allows them to engage and eliminate cruise missiles much closer to the border, minimizing the threat within Ukraine itself.”

Beyond lobbying for equipment, Andrii actively participated in coordinating aid supplies for Ukrainian pilots across the Air Force, Army Aviation, and State Emergency Service. He donated his own money to ensure helicopter pilots had access to modern helmets. Additionally, he worked collaboratively with “Wingmen for Ukraine,” an American organization dedicated to supporting the Ukrainian Air Force since 2013.

A tragic loss

“A tragic loss. On August 25th, two L-39 military jets collided over the Zhytomyr region. Three pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force lost their lives. One of them was Major Andrii Pilshchykov, a 2nd Class pilot and a recipient of the Order of Courage, 3rd Class, known by the callsign 'JUICE'. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the departed. We are grateful for their service. They will be remembered both in the skies and on the ground,” reads the official Twitter (X) post of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

In a tribute to Andrii Pilshchykov, Viacheslav Minka, and Serhii Prokazin, the Ukrainian Air Force held a piano burning ceremony on August 26th, 2023. Their pilot call signs and plane numbers were displayed on the piano before it was burned.

At the burial ceremony, Liliia Averyanova, Andrii’s mother, requested Mykola Oleshchuk, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, to ensure she could “take a circle” in the sky on the first F-16 delivered to Ukraine, in her son’s place. Oleshchuk responded affirmatively: “Definitely.”

All three were posthumously promoted in rank, with Pilshchykov receiving the honor of Major.

Following the news of the accident, tributes poured in.

“Juice visited me and showed his absolute passion for flying, fighting, and defending his country. My heart is broken, as with every fallen hero of Ukraine. This one just stings a bit more personally. Godspeed Juice. Nickel on the grass,” said Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

“He was a great leader, and I know many in his squadron, and he really was as much as any individual, that they were speaking of when they came up with [the] one-off, the ‘Ghost of Kyiv,’ ” Penn told on Fox Nation.

Juice’s friends from around the globe carry a patch with his name, and hence cherished memories of him wherever they go.

Yuriy Ignat wrote on his Facebook page: “You can’t even imagine how he wanted to fly an F-16…And when American planes are already on the horizon, he will not fly them…But his brothers-in-arms will do it for him, they will fight fiercely for all the pilots who were taken away by this damned war!”

F-16s approval

Andrii’s hard work paid off — the US and European countries finally agreed to donate the jets.

In 2022 in Washington, Andrii pushed the F-16 program forward. He gave everything he had to make it happen.

On August 21, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Netherlands and Denmark, where leaders from both countries made a long-awaited announcement to send F-16s to Ukraine.

Shortly after, on August 24, 2023, the US announced that Ukrainian pilots would train in Tucson, Arizona.

Fast forward to today, on July 10, 2024, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced during a NATO forum at the 75th NATO Summit, that the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine has already begun.

On August 4, a historic announcement was made, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially confirmed the arrival of F-16 fighters in Ukraine and the start of the first combat operations.

While Andrii didn’t witness the arrival of F-16’s firsthand, Ukrainians across the country commemorated him that day due to his key role in making it possible.

His legacy inspires future generations of Ukrainian pilots to fight for freedom and modernization within the Air Force.

“Ukraine does not receive F-16s without the incredible effort Juice put into the initiative. His amazing contributions in communicating the need for Ukraine to acquire the Viper were critical. His interviews on CNN, Fox and all the other outlets helped to explain Ukraine’s AirPower challenge and created massive support. He is looking down from heaven today with a proud smile on his face,” American top pilots said about Andrii.

And from now on, his hometown Kharkiv will be safeguarded, as well as the rest of the country.