Reuters reported that the plane crash occurred on August 26. This is the first loss reported since US-made fighters arrived in Ukraine this month.
On August 29, the General Staff of Ukraine announced on Facebook that the F-16 fighter fell and the pilot died while approaching the Russian target.
The General Staff added that the F-16s "show high efficiency" and shot down four Russian cruise missiles. Ukraine noted that Russia launched more than 200 missiles and drones that day targeting the energy sector.
" disconnected from one of the aircraft as it approached its next target. The plane crashed and the pilot died," the statement said.
A US defense official told Reuters that the plane crash on August 26 did not appear to be caused by Russian fire and could have been caused by pilots or mechanical failure. The case is still under investigation.
Ukraine has not provided details about the size of its new squadron, although the crash left significant losses. The Times of London quoted a source as saying that Ukraine only has 6 F-16s.
Earlier, on August 4, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine did not have enough pilots trained to use the F-16 or did not have enough fighter jets.
Ukraine's Western Air Force Command wrote on Facebook that pilot Oleksiy Mes died in a combat mission on August 26.
"Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, the pilot had to pay with his own life," the statement read.
Mes is nicknamed Moonfish. CNN reported in 2023 that he was being trained for F-16 missions.
The appearance of the F-16 fighter jet is a milestone for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia since February 2022.
However, military analysts said that the small number of F-16s, although important, is unlikely to be a turning point in the conflict.
Kiev has urged its allies to provide modern fighter jets since Russia began a military campaign to strengthen its small and well-used aircraft fleet in the post-Soviet era.
Before Kiev received the F-16 this year, Russia had more time to prepare for defense and Ukraine had to use depleted air forces, only a fraction of the size and capability of the enemy.
