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On August 29, a prominent Ukrainian pilot was killed in a crash involving a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, according to official reports. The incident occurred as the pilot, identified by his call sign “Moonfish” but whose real name was Oleksiy Mes, was actively engaging in what has been described as the largest aerial attack by Russia on Ukraine to date.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier praised the effectiveness of the F-16s in combat, noting their role in destroying Russian missiles and drones earlier that week. This marked the first confirmed combat use of these jets since their arrival in Ukraine, a significant addition given the ongoing conflict which has persisted for over two and a half years.
The crash reportedly happened amid heavy Russian missile fire, although Ukrainian authorities have ruled out pilot error as a cause. Instead, during a critical phase of the mission, communication with Mes’s aircraft was lost, only to later discover the tragic crash had claimed his life.
The delivery of the F-16 jets had been a much-anticipated boost for Ukraine as it seeks more military support from its allies amidst continuous aggression from Russia. Mes was among the few Ukrainian pilots trained to operate the advanced fighter jet.
His and a fellow pilot’s appeal to U.S. Congress in June 2022 had been part of a successful effort to secure the deployment of these planes.
The Ukrainian Air Force honored Mes’s sacrifice in a poignant social media post, stating, “Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles, unfortunately at the cost of his own life.” His colleague, known by the call sign “Juice,” had also perished during a mission last August.
In light of these events, the U.S. and its NATO allies have pledged approximately 65 F-16s to Ukraine, which is now also seeking approval to use long-range missiles in its defense efforts.