U.S.-Made F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in Ukraine, Pilot Killed, Army Says

Ukraine has confirmed the crash of one of its newly acquired U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets during a mission to counter a Russian airstrike, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. The crash occurred on Monday, as confirmed by a U.S. official to CBS News.

This incident marks the first known destruction of an F-16 in Ukraine, happening shortly after Kyiv resumed taking delivery of these advanced supersonic aircraft.

Preliminary assessments suggest that the jet was not downed by fire from Russian forces. According to the Ukrainian military, the F-16 was involved in a coordinated defensive operation against a missile attack from Russia, employing both fighters and anti-aircraft missile units.

During the mission, the Ukrainian forces lost contact with one of their jets, which subsequently crashed, resulting in the death of the pilot. While the specific identity of the pilot was initially withheld, a report later surfaced identifying him as Oleksiy Mes, a member of Ukraine’s air force.

Tributes poured in for Oleksiy Mes, who had recently achieved notable success in combat, having destroyed three cruise missiles and a drone during a massive airstrike on August 26. The Western air command unit hailed him as a hero, stating, “Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles, but tragically at the cost of his own life.”

The loss of the F-16 is particularly disheartening for Ukraine, as the country has long relied on an aging fleet of Soviet-era MI-29 and Sukhoi fighter jets for its air defense. The arrival of the F-16s was a significant boost for Ukraine in its struggle against ongoing Russian bombardments.

This incident unfolded as Moscow launched a significant wave of drone and missile attacks against Ukraine, which President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to as one of the most extensive attacks since the start of the invasion two and a half years ago.

Earlier this month, Zelensky expressed optimism about the F-16s, stating that their arrival would significantly enhance Ukraine’s defensive capabilities against Russia’s increasingly aggressive air operations.

The F-16 fighter jet, a renowned model over the past fifty years, has served as a frontline aircraft for NATO and various air forces worldwide, symbolizing advanced military technology.

In August 2023, President Biden authorized the deployment of used F-16s to Ukraine, although the U.S. has clarified that it will not be supplying any of its own modern jets to the country.

Source: CBS News