Ukrainian Pilot Trained in America for Two Years Dies Just Weeks After Returning to Ukraine in 'One of The First Combat Missions He Flew'

When Russia invaded Ukraine last February, Capt. Vladyslav Savieliev, a Ukrainian Air Force pilot with deep experience flying MiG-29 fighter jets against Russian forces, desperately wanted to fight for his country.

But Savieliev, who at the time was enrolled in a two-year selective pilot training course run by the U.S. military at a Mississippi Air Force Base, still had another year to go before completing the program.

Savieliev, known by his call sign "Nomad," finally returned to Ukraine after graduating in March from the U.S. military's Aviation Leadership Program, an undergraduate pilot training course designed to boost military relationships with foreign nations. He died weeks later on a combat mission June 2, the Ukrainian Air Force announced last week.

On June 2, Ukrainian Air Force pilot Vladyslav Saveliev (call sign "NOMAD") died on a combat mission.
We will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/ztlIlbe1dM

— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) June 7, 2023

[...] Savieliev finally completed the course in March and returned to Ukraine after not flying in his old jet, the MiG-29, for at least two years.

He died on one of the first combat missions he flew after returning from the United States, Fischer said.