Skip to content
Edit post

Russia claims Ukrainian pilot surrendered in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine denies

by Martin Fornusek December 29, 2024 4:01 PM 1 min read
Illustrative purposes only: A Ukrainian MIG-29 fighter jet flying over eastern Ukraine on Jan. 1, 2023. (Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Ukraine's Air Force on Dec. 29 denied claims spread by the Russian state media about a Ukrainian pilot surrendering to Russian forces in Kursk Oblast.

The statement came after the Russian state news agency TASS claimed, citing Russian security services, that Ukrainian pilot Volodymyr Popovich had surrendered in the embattled Russian region.

"Unfortunately, cases of capture of military personnel who previously served in the Air Force do occur," the Air Force said in a statement.

"However, the information about the capture of a Ukrainian pilot is false. All Ukrainian pilots continue to perform tasks to protect the country."

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

Ukraine's Air Force did not provide further details nor name Popovich specifically. It is unclear whether the Air Force was refuting that Popovich was captured or that he was an active pilot at the time of his alleged capture.

Training new pilots is a lengthy and expensive process, making aviators especially valuable personnel.

One killed, one in captivity: The tragic story of two brothers forever separated by Russia’s war
Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. For a moment, Oksana Latanska could not believe her eyes when she looked down at a cold, little body, gray from dust and ashes. It hardly resembled the little boy that she knew so well and whom she saw almost every weekend

News Feed

MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.