Pilot killed in first loss of Western-delivered F-16 during Russian missile attack
Ukraine has reported its first loss of a Western-supplied F-16 Fighting Falcon as the pilot was apparently attempting to repel a major Russian attack.
The F-16 came down, killing its pilot, while approaching a Russian target, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook.
According to a US defence official, the crash did not appear to have been the result of Russian fire, and possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure were being investigated.
Ukraine said Russia had launched more than 200 missiles and drones that day, targeting the energy sector, in what was one of the biggest barrages of the war.
The Ukrainian General Staff pointed out that its F-16s had "demonstrated high efficiency" and downed four Russian cruise missiles.
But it added: "Connection with one of the aircraft was lost while it was approaching the next target. As it turned out later, the plane crashed and the pilot died."
The Ukrainian air force's Western Command named the pilot who died as Oleksiy Mes.
"Oleksiy saved the Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately at the cost of his own life," it said.
The pilot, who was known by his call sign Moonfish, was one of the aircrew who had travelled to the US as part of Ukraine's efforts to convince its Western allies to deliver the fighter jet.
Despite the F-16 being a very capable aircraft, it has found itself being replaced by some Western air forces.
The aircraft made its first flight in 1974 - 50 years ago - although it has been upgraded numerous times since then.
As it was being gradually removed from service, it was found to be an easier aircraft to send to Ukraine.
However, this may have come at the cost of its effectiveness in the war against Russia and serves as to why some have questioned its relevance.
While the Royal Air Force does not operate the F-16, the UK was able to provide important initial flight training for Ukrainian pilots.
In May, 10 of them graduated from the UK's advanced flying course in preparation to continue their training with the French air force before ultimately moving on to the F-16.
President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month highlighted how Ukraine still did not have enough pilots trained to operate the F-16 - or enough of the jets themselves.
Ukraine has yet to give official details about the size of its new F-16 fleet, but it is believed that at least six aircraft were delivered in the last few weeks.
An unnamed Ukrainian officer, speaking before the crash, told Politico the F-16 would not be the weapon Ukraine needed in the coming year.
"We just don't get the weapons systems at the time we need them - they come when they're no longer relevant," he said.
The aircraft, he explained, would have been better suited to fight in Ukraine last year, but its window of opportunity may now have closed.
He warned that Russia had already worked out ways to counter the jet, limiting its usefulness on the frontline.
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