President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine to pilot Andriy Pilshchikov (call-sign Juice). This is stated in Decree No. 658/2024.
"To award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star to Andriy Borysovych Pilshchykov, Major (posthumously)," the document reads.
Andriy Pilshchykov was awarded the title for personal courage and heroism in the defence of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people.
Zelenskyy signed the decree on 30 September.
- Andriy “Juice” Pilshchykov has been defending Ukrainian skies since the beginning of the full-scale war with Russia. He was a MiG-29 fighter pilot and took part in the defence of Kyiv.
- He died in a plane crash in the Zhytomyr Region on 26 August 2023. During a combat mission, the crews of two L-39 combat trainer aircraft collided in the sky. Three pilots were killed, and Juice was among them.
- The hero was buried at Askold's Grave in Kyiv.