Ukrainian F-16 Crashes Amid Russian Missile Barrage, Likely Pilot Error; Lt. Col. Mes Dies

Aug 29, 2024, 02:48 PM

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, resulting in its destruction, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal citing a U.S. official. The incident occurred just weeks after the first American-made aircraft arrived in Ukraine. Initial assessments suggest that the crash was likely caused by pilot error rather than enemy fire, despite the crash occurring amidst a significant Russian missile barrage. The Ukrainian Air Force has not confirmed the crash or the pilot's status. Ukraine had recently received six F-16 jets, and this crash reduces their number to five. Lt. Col. Oleksii Mes, the F-16 pilot, also died on Monday.