[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 150 (Monday, September 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REMEMBERING CAPTAIN ANDRIY ``JUICE'' PILSHCHIKOV

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2023

  Mr. SWALWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Ukrainian 
fighter pilot Captain Andriy Pilshchikov, better known by his call sign 
``Juice,'' who tragically lost his life at the age of 30 while fighting 
for Ukraine's freedom on Friday, August 25, 2023.
  Born in February 1993, Andriy was a Captain in Ukraine's Air Force 
40th Tactical Aviation Brigade and leader of the ``Ghost of Kyiv'' 
unit. He flew MiG-29 fighter jets, protecting the central and northern 
Ukrainian air space from Russian attacks. Andriy earned the call sign 
``Juice'' during his time in California performing training exercises 
with the U.S. Air National Guard because he preferred juice over 
alcoholic beverages.
  Juice boldly resisted the Russian air offensive despite using aging 
Soviet-era technology. With destroyed ground-based navigation, Juice 
flew missions using simple Garmin GPS units.
  Juice was one of the lead advocates for the delivery of F-16 fighter 
jets to Ukraine from allied countries. His efforts included contacting 
American government officials to encourage support for this cause. Many 
of us became familiar with Juice from his numerous interviews with 
prominent Western news outlets. Luckily, allied countries, including 
the United States, agreed to send F-16s. Juice was among the initial 
group of Ukrainian pilots slated for F-16 training due to his fluency 
in English.
  Juice and 2 other pilots, Major Vyacheslav Minka and Major Serhiy 
Prokazin, tragically lost their lives on August 25 when a pair of L-39 
Combat Trainer jets collided during a training accident near Zhytomyr.
  In June 2022, I was introduced to Juice by actor and filmmaker Sean 
Penn. Over dinner in Washington D.C., Juice shared his passion for 
Ukraine's freedom and the need for the United States to provide fighter 
jets to his country. I promised Juice I would seek that. And I plan to 
follow through on that promise.
  Juice was a true Air Force leader, possessing tactical skills, 
confidence, and a calm demeanor under the immense pressure that war 
brings. His bravery and courage went above and beyond, flying over 500 
combat hours, never once backing away from a fight. He is survived by 
his devoted girlfriend, Melaniya, and mother, Lillia. May we never 
forget his service and the ultimate sacrifice he made for the freedom 
of Ukraine.

                          ____________________