Prominent Ukrainian pilot killed

"The Ukrainian army suffered serious losses over the weekend, both on the battlefield and off it". On Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Russian armed forces captured the strategically important village of Bela Gora in the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic", in the Kramatorsk region, the Russian agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported.

This small village, with only about 70 permanent residents, has a key strategic position, because it is located 8 km north of Toretsko and 9 km southeast of Konstantinovka, making it an important point on the map of Donbass.

The village was captured by soldiers from the Russian group of troops "South". According to the analysis of Russian military experts, the capture of Bela Gora has allowed Russian forces to fully secure the area south of Chasov Yar, which has been under siege for months, and to expand the bridgehead towards Konstantinovka and further towards Kramatorsk.

In other parts of the front line, the situation has remained mostly stable over the past 24 to 48 hours, with minor movements. However, Russian troops have continued the operation to encircle Mirnograd (which Russians call Dimitrov), further pushing Ukrainian forces out of Donbas.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian media also reported the death of the famous pilot Konstantin Oborin.

According to Russian sources, a Ukrainian Yak-52 trainer aircraft used to intercept drones was hit by a Russian “Geran-2”. The pilot, Colonel of the Ukrainian Air Force Konstantin Oborin, also a member of the local flying club, was killed.

Oborin is one of the most famous Ukrainian pilots thanks to "successful actions in shooting down Russian reconnaissance and attack drones". His loss is another blow to the morale of the Ukrainian Air Force.

Oborin is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, director of the Odessa aviation club, volunteer, mentor and a man with "a great soul and courage", RBC-Ukraine writes.

"Konstantin went through the Afghan hell, but did not become bitter - on the contrary, he devoted himself to service and support of others. He became a symbol of rehabilitation and hope for veterans, giving new meanings through parachuting, flying and sincere human attention. His philosophy of life - "air heals" "- has become wings for many," writes Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov.