Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot killed in missile strike during combat

Captain Marat Mambetov, 25, was killed on October 1, 2026, when his MiG-29 fighter jet was struck by a Russian missile during a combat mission, according to Ukrainian air force statements. Mambetov served as commander of a unit within the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade, known as the 'Ghost of Kyiv.' He was conducting strike operations against Russian forces along the front line when his aircraft was hit. The pilot ejected from the damaged plane but did not survive, the air force confirmed.

The exact circumstances of Mambetov's death following ejection were not disclosed by Ukrainian command. The air force did not specify the precise location of the incident or provide details about the type of Russian weapon that struck the aircraft. The statement expressed condolences to the pilot's family and colleagues.

This marks the second reported loss of a MiG-29 by Ukrainian forces in recent months. On August 10, 2026, another MiG-29 was lost in the Odessa region. In that earlier incident, the aircraft caught fire during an air-to-air missile launch while intercepting airborne targets. The pilot in that case ejected successfully and survived, receiving medical evacuation.