Yuri Ivashchenko, a prominent Soviet and Russian aviation designer, has died at the age of 91. Ivashchenko was one of the pioneers behind the legendary Soviet attack aircraft, the Su-25.

Russian state company Rostec announced today the death of Yuri Viktorovich Ivashchenko, a prominent Soviet and Russian aviation designer, at the age of 91.

Ivashchenko dedicated many years working at the Sukhoi Design Bureau, serving as chief designer between 1980 and 1985. He contributed significantly to the development of iconic military aircraft such as the Su-9, Su-15, Su-24, and Su-25. In 2000, he headed the design team for the civil passenger aircraft Superjet 100.

Ivashchenko’s professional career spanned over fifty years; he graduated from the Moscow Aviation Institute and began his career at the Parachute Research Institute, where he developed the parachute system for the supersonic bomber T-4. He was awarded the Soviet State Prize and the Orders of the Red Banner and the Badge of Honor.

The Su-25 is considered one of Ivashchenko’s most notable contributions. It is a subsonic attack aircraft, armored and single-seated, designed to support ground forces during military operations. The aircraft can accurately destroy targets in any weather conditions and around the clock. Flight tests for the Su-25 began in February 1975, and the aircraft remains in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces to this day.