Kyiv [Ukraine], May 17 (ANI): Ukraine’s Air Force reported the loss of an F-16 fighter jet early Friday morning due to an incident onboard, Reuters cited a statement from the Ukrainian Air Force. Fortunately, the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft.
According to a Telegram statement from Ukraine’s Air Force, “an unusual situation arose on board. The pilot moved the aircraft away from the settlement and successfully ejected.” The pilot is reported to be in good condition.
Preliminary indications suggest the crash was not caused by Russian fire. A commission has been appointed to investigate the full circumstances of the incident.
The Kyiv Independent reported that the F-16 lost contact during a mission to repel a Russian aerial attack overnight on May 16. The pilot, after an emergency situation arose, diverted the plane away from populated areas before ejecting. Rescue teams later found him safely.
According to initial data, the pilot destroyed three Russian aerial targets and was engaging a fourth with the aircraft’s cannon before the emergency forced ejection around 3:30 a.m. local time. The Air Force has not disclosed further details about the jet’s final crash site or fate.
This incident follows previous losses of Ukrainian F-16s: in August last year, pilot Oleksii Mes died in a crash, and another pilot, Pavlo Ivanov, was killed during a combat mission in April.
Ukraine began receiving US-made F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark in 2024, using them to counter Russian missile and drone attacks across the country. (ANI)
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