Colonel Oleksandr Dovhach, the commander of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade based in Zhytomyr, was killed on March 9 while performing a combat mission in the eastern region of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force Command announced his death, emphasizing the challenges he faced from superior enemy air power and robust Russian air defense systems.
In their statement, the Air Force praised Dovhach as a true leader and skilled pilot. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, he led his brigade in delivering precise and impactful strikes against enemy positions. Dovhach completed hundreds of combat sorties, targeting command centers, military equipment, and communication systems, while also providing cover for strike and bomber aircraft and neutralizing enemy drones and missiles.
“Oleksandr Dovhach was not just a commander. He was a true leader and combat pilot. From the first days of the full-scale invasion, his brigade inflicted significant damage on the enemy. He was always at the forefront, taking on the most dangerous tasks and inspiring his subordinates to act decisively. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Honor to the Hero!” — Ukrainian Air Force Command.
The circumstances surrounding Dovhach’s death are currently under investigation.
His legacy will be remembered with eternal glory.
Colonel Dovhach graduated from the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv and served with the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade in Poltava. He had been actively involved in repelling Russian aggression since 2014.
As of November 2025, he had completed over 150 combat missions, targeting critical objectives of the Russian military. His efforts included providing cover for strike and bomber aircraft and destroying Russian drones and cruise missiles that posed threats to Ukrainian cities. In 2025, he survived approximately 20 missile strikes aimed at his aircraft.
Dovhach played a direct role in the liberation of Snake Island and the de-occupation of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and the right bank of Kherson.
In 2015, he was awarded the Order of Daniel of Galicia, and by 2026, he had become a full holder of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, receiving it in 2022, 2023, and 2024. On September 30, 2025, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Golden Star, which was presented to him by the President of Ukraine.
In a video published by the Air Force in 2025, Dovhach recounted a touching moment when a soldier gifted him a trench knife engraved with the brigade’s insignia, urging him to remain steadfast and unyielding.
Colonel Oleksandr Dovhach, a highly respected commander of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was killed during a combat mission on March 9. His contributions to the Ukrainian military were significant, with numerous successful missions against enemy forces since 2014.