Correction: Ukrainian pilot killed as F-16 crashes during Russian missile attack

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, Aug. 26, while responding to a large-scale Russian missile attack, marking the first crash of the U.S.-made planes. The jet, piloted by Oleksiy Mes, was reportedly on a mission to intercept Russian missiles when contact was lost as it approached its next target.

Mes was killed in the crash. He was one of the six Ukrainian pilots trained to fly F-16s.

The incident occurred just weeks after the initial delivery of the American-made F-16s to Ukraine. It was a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities against the Russian invasion. These advanced jets had been a key component of Ukraine’s strategy to counter Russian air superiority and to defend against missile and drone attacks.

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The Ukrainian military confirmed that the F-16s had already demonstrated their effectiveness, successfully intercepting and downing multiple Russian missiles during the intense barrage. However, the loss of one of these jets and its pilot is a major setback for Ukraine, which has only a limited number of the aircraft available.

According to U.S. officials, initial assessments suggest that the crash was not caused by Russian fire. The exact cause is still under investigation. The incident highlights the challenges and risks associated with deploying these advanced yet complex aircraft in active combat zones, especially as Ukrainian pilots are still relatively new to operating them.

Ukraine has been pushing for the delivery of modern fighter jets since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It aims to replace its aging Soviet-era fleet. The arrival of the F-16s was seen as a critical step in leveling the playing field in the skies, providing Ukraine with more advanced tools to defend its airspace.

The limited number of the jets and the steep learning curve have been a challenge for Ukrainian pilots. Their effective deployment could halt Russia’s air superiority.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this video incorrectly stated that the crashed F-16 was U.S.-supplied when the aircraft was actually U.S.-made. Straight Arrow News deeply regrets the error and has since corrected the video.