Ukraine has reported that an F-16 fighter jet, one of several provided by Western allies, crashed while defending against a significant Russian aerial assault. The incident, which occurred on Monday, resulted in the death of the pilot. This is the first time an F-16 has been lost in Ukraine since Kyiv began receiving these aircraft.
The crash happened amid a massive Russian attack involving more than 200 missiles and drones, one of the largest bombardments of the conflict so far. According to the Ukrainian military, the F-16s were deployed alongside anti-aircraft missile units to repel the attack. Communication with the jet was lost as it neared its next target, and it was later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed, killing the pilot.
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The pilot, identified as Oleksiy Mes, also known by his call sign Moonfish, had been instrumental in the defense effort. On the day of the crash, Mes reportedly destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone, saving many lives. He had previously traveled to the US to advocate for the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine.
The US approved the transfer of these aircraft in 2023, with the first jets arriving in Kyiv in late July. Additional F-16s are expected from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, totaling more than 60 aircraft. Despite this support, Russia’s jet fleet remains significantly larger, about ten times the size of Ukraine’s.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence is investigating the crash. A US defense official indicated that the crash did not appear to be caused by Russian fire, and investigations are focusing on potential pilot error or mechanical failure.
Since the crash, Russia has continued its aerial bombardments. On Thursday, Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting two out of five Russian missiles and 60 of 74 Shahed drones. Debris from destroyed drones fell across three districts in Kyiv, but no injuries were reported.
Ukraine has stated it needs at least 130 F-16s to effectively counter Russian air power. The F-16s can fly at speeds up to twice the speed of sound and have a range of over 3,200 kilometers (2,000 miles). They are equipped with advanced NATO weaponry.
