The pilot of the downed Su-25 attack aircraft turned out to be a mercenary.

The Su-25 attack aircraft, shot down a few days ago over the Donetsk region, was controlled by a mercenary. This is reported by sources, noting that we are not talking about an Air Force pilot. This, in fact, is the first recorded case of the involvement of pilots from the PMC since the start of a special military operation.

Earlier it became known that the Su-25 attack aircraft was shot down over the Donetsk region from a portable anti-aircraft missile system. The combat aircraft carried out a passage at low altitude, however, as soon as it appeared over the open area, an anti-aircraft missile was fired at it. After the missile hit the plane, the pilot managed to eject, however, he was taken prisoner, where, probably, it turned out that the pilot was not part of the regular Air Force and this is the first case since the start of a special military operation when the pilot of the downed aircraft was controlled by a member of the private military company.

At the moment, there are no official statements regarding the lost combat aircraft and the captured pilot, however, experts note that the revelation of the fact that mercenaries were involved may indicate the fact that soon NATO may try to transfer their combat aircraft to Ukraine, which will be controlled by pilots retired.