Ukrainian Military Pilot Dies in U.S.-Made F-16 Fighter Jet Crash

A prominent pilot in the Ukrainian Air Force has tragically lost his life following the crash of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet on Monday, according to official reports.

The pilot, Oleksiy Mes, who was also known by his flying call sign “Moonfish,” died while engaged in operations to counter what has been described as the largest aerial assault by Russia against Ukraine to date. Reports indicate that Mes was laid to rest on Thursday.

Authorities in Ukraine have asserted that pilot error is not believed to have been a contributing factor in the accident, and a formal investigation into the crash is currently underway.

In a briefing on Thursday, the Ukrainian General Staff explained that during the approach to a designated target, communication was lost with one aircraft. Subsequent findings revealed that the F-16 had gone down, resulting in the tragic loss of the pilot.

The introduction of the F-16 fighter jets into Ukraine’s arsenal has been highly anticipated as the nation seeks military support from its allies in the ongoing struggle against Russia’s invasion, which has persisted for over two and a half years. The F-16s, which arrived in Ukraine earlier this month, were among the few jets operated by trained Ukrainian aviators.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force utilized the F-16 to intercept missiles and drones that Russia launched earlier in the week, marking the first official acknowledgment of the jets being used in combat.

Reports suggest that Mes’s aircraft went down amidst a heavy assault of Russian missiles. However, during this engagement, the Ukrainian F-16 piloted by Mes successfully destroyed three cruise missiles and a Russian drone, making it the largest assault Ukraine has faced yet.

The Ukrainian Air Force expressed their condolences on social media, stating, “Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life.”

Notably, Mes had been vocal about the necessity for Western fighters during a congressional appearance in June 2022 alongside fellow pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov. Their plea aimed to secure F-16 aircraft for Ukraine’s defense.

Former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger reflected on meeting with both pilots, sharing his sentiments of dread about their future in the conflict. “When I met with Ukrainian pilots Juice and Moonfish, I had a sick feeling they wouldn’t make it through the war,” he wrote on X, acknowledging the efforts they made for both Ukraine and the F-16 initiative.

It is worth noting that Pilshchykov, also known as Juice, died last August while on a mission.

The United States and its NATO allies have committed to providing Ukraine with approximately 65 F-16s. The Ukrainian government is now seeking authorization from allies to employ long-range missile systems as well.