Ukraine loses F-16 in combat, pilot survives
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- Mariia Khamitsevych
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8:40, 16 May, 2025
F-16 fighter jet, illustrative photo / Lockheed MartinOn the night of 16 May, the Ukrainian Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet during a combat mission to repel a Russian air attack.
At around 03:30, the aircraft lost contact. The pilot encountered an emergency situation but managed to take the aircraft away from the settlement and eject, the Ukrainian Air Force said.
According to preliminary data, the pilot destroyed three air targets and fired at a fourth using an aircraft gun. A special commission is investigating the causes of the loss of the aircraft.
«The pilot's health is satisfactory, he is in a safe place, his life and health are not in danger», the statement said.
On 29 August last year, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially confirmed that Ukraine had lost its first F-16 fighter jet.
The Pentagon is aware of the loss of the first F-16 fighter jet. They noted that Ukraine had not asked for assistance in investigating the incident.