Ukrainian Falcons
Encyclopedia
Ukrainian Air Force
The Ukrainian Air Force is a part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian Air Force Command and headquarters are located in the city of Vinnytsia....
. It was established in 1997 as a team of 6 MiG-29s (5 MiG-29 9-13s and 1 MiG-29UB).
The Ukrainian Falcons represents the elite of the Ukrainian Air Force's fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
pilots
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
. This team is commanded by Colonel V. Rososhansky (Test Pilot First Class). Also members of the team are Colonels Korolyov and Dudkin, Lieutenant Colonels Kovolyov and Vecherinsky, Majors Sotnikov, Ovchinnikov and Lieutenant Colonel Nickolay Mekhed. The “Falcons” are based at the Kirovs’ke Air Base (Kirovs’ke raion
Kirovske raion
Kirovsk Raion is one of the 25 regions of Crimea. It is located in the eastern part of the republic. The southern part of the raion is occupied with the foothills, while the northern one is situated in the Crimean steppe...
, Eastern Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
).
Ukrainian Falcons member Lt. Col. Volodymyr Toponar was the chief pilot of the Sukhoi Su-27
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
that crashed during the Sknyliv airshow disaster (survived with injuries). He was found guilty of causing the crash and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.