The Name Of The Pilot Killed In The Crash Of A Motorized Hang Glider Near Minsk Has Become Known

• 15.04.2026, 9:23

He was a musician in a band popular in the noughties.

The pilot, who died in the crash of a motorized hang glider near Minsk, was an instructor of the Avia-Minsk flying club Ruslan Ivanov. His name was given in social networks by a close friend, showman Sergei Lapkovsky, reports "Euroradio".

He also said that earlier they played together in the popular in the noughties band "Color Aloe". Later Ruslan learned to be a pilot and became an instructor at the flying club.

In a comment to Onliner, Lapkovsky denied the social media version that the pilot fell out of the hang glider during takeoff and the passenger was left alone.

"I knew Ruslan for 24 years. He was an experienced pilot. According to information from his brother, the hang glider hit the wrong airflow on takeoff, clipped a wing, and they went down. Ruslan was wearing a seatbelt, and everything that is being said on social media is not true. This is an accident, which happened due to natural circumstances, from which no one is insured," he commented.

Lapkovsky added that he had flown several times with Ruslan Ivanov and fully trusted him with his life.

The crash of a motorized hang glider near the village of Ozertso, Minsk district, occurred in the afternoon on April 14. It was reported that a 45-year-old pilot and a 26-year-old female passenger died in the crash.