Ukrainian F-16 Crashes During Russian Missile Strike, Pilot Killed

A Western-supplied F-16 fighter jet for Kiev was destroyed in an accident in Ukraine, confirmed a U.S. defense official to Reuters.

What is Ukrainian F-16?

According to Bloomberg, the first F-16s arrived in Ukraine at the end of July 2024. Bloomberg did not report on the number of F-16 fighters delivered to the AFU in the first batch.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fourth-generation medium-range multirole fighter jet provided by the Kremlin to Ukraine. Kiev asked the West to provide F-16s in the first months after the conflict with Russia broke out in February 2022, but was rejected by the administration of US President Joe Biden. It was not until May 2023 that Washington gave the green light for other countries to send US-made F-16s to Ukraine.

Currently, the F-16 is in service with more than 20 countries around the world.

Ukrainian F-16 Crashes During Russian Missile Strike

In a tragic incident on August 29, 2024, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet was destroyed during a Russian missile strike, resulting in the death of the pilot, Oleksiy Mes. This marks the first loss of an Ukrainian F-16 since NATO allies began delivering these advanced aircraft to Ukraine earlier this month.

JUST IN: WJS reports an Ukrainian F -16 crashed on Monday during the Russian missile and drone attack.

While the crash is not directly linked to the attack but due to pilot error as per the reports. Ukrainian MoD hasn't commented on the status of the pilot yet.

What could be… pic.twitter.com/e9ybQ1tWn1

— Beats in Brief (@beatsinbrief) August 29, 2024

The crash occurred amidst a massive Russian aerial attack, which included both missiles and drones. Despite the intense barrage, the Ukrainian military reported that the pilot managed to destroy three cruise missiles and one drone before the crash. The Ukrainian Air Force praised Oleksiy Mes for his bravery, stating that he saved many lives at the cost of his own.

This incident highlights the ongoing intensity of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Ukrainian F-16s, supplied by NATO countries, are part of Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities against Russian aggression. The loss of the aircraft is a significant blow to Ukraine, which has been relying on these advanced jets to counter the sophisticated missile and drone attacks from Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deployment of the F-16s and emphasized their role in defending against Russian threats. He also reiterated the need for continued support from international allies to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The crash underscores the high stakes and the human cost of the ongoing conflict, as both sides continue to engage in intense military operations. The international community watches closely, with hopes for a resolution that can bring peace and stability to the region.