In frame: Major Serhii Bondar, Ukrainian Air Force pilot of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade “Ghost of Kyiv,” in the cockpit of a MiG-29. (Source: 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade)
Kyiv, August 25 - On the night of August 22-23, 2025, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet crashed during its landing approach after completing a combat mission, resulting in the tragic death of its pilot, Major Serhii Viktorovych Bondar. The incident, reported by the Ukrainian Air Force, occurred under unspecified circumstances, and the exact location of the crash remains undisclosed. Major Bondar, born in 1979 in Kropyvnytskyi, was a seasoned aviator and deputy squadron commander of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, known as the "Ghost of Kyiv." The Ukrainian Air Force has initiated an investigation to determine the causes and circumstances of the crash, but no definitive details have been released regarding the factors contributing to the accident. This loss marks another blow to Ukraine’s air capabilities, which have been under significant strain since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
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Major Serhii Bondar was a highly experienced pilot who dedicated much of his life to aviation. After graduating from the Kharkiv Institute of the Air Force in 2000, he served in various capacities, including as a lecturer at the National Aviation University, before returning to active military service following Russia’s invasion. Within the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Bondar retrained to fly L-39 and MiG-29 aircraft, undertaking daily combat missions that included striking Russian positions, headquarters, and equipment with missiles and bombs, as well as intercepting aerial targets. His service was recognized earlier in 2025 when he was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, 3rd class, by a presidential decree for his courage and dedication. Bondar’s death leaves behind his wife and two children, adding a personal tragedy to the loss of a skilled and committed officer.
The MiG-29, a Soviet-era twin-engine fighter jet, remains a cornerstone of Ukraine’s air force, despite the fleet’s depletion over the course of the ongoing conflict. Designed for air superiority and ground attack roles, the aircraft has been critical in Ukraine’s defense strategy, particularly in intercepting Russian Shahed drones and conducting strikes across multiple fronts. Before the war, Ukraine operated several dozen MiG-29s, but combat losses and the intensity of operations have reduced this number significantly. Support from allies, including Poland and Slovakia, which transferred 14 and 13 MiG-29s respectively, has helped bolster Ukraine’s fleet. However, estimates suggest that only around 15 to 36 MiG-29s remain operational, with exact figures classified. The loss of Bondar’s aircraft underscores the challenges faced by Ukraine’s air force, which operates under constant threat from Russian air defenses and drones.
This incident is part of a series of losses for the Ukrainian Air Force in 2025, with at least six combat aircraft reported lost this year, including F-16s, a Su-27, a Yak-52, and a Mirage 2000-5F. The night of the crash coincided with a Russian attack involving 49 Shahed drones and decoys, of which 36 were repelled, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. While it is unclear whether Bondar’s mission was directly related to this attack, the timing highlights the relentless pressure on Ukraine’s pilots, who often coordinate with ground-based air defenses to counter Russian assaults. The loss of Major Bondar and his MiG-29 not only diminishes Ukraine’s operational capacity but also serves as a somber reminder of the human cost borne by those defending the nation’s sovereignty.