Ukrainian F-16 Fighter Jet Lost in Russian Missile Attack, BBC Reports
One of the F-16 fighter jets sent to Ukraine by NATO allies has been destroyed, according to a Ukrainian military source speaking to the BBC.
The plane was shot down during a Russian missile attack on Monday, leading to the death of its pilot, Oleksiy Mes. This is the first time an F-16 has been lost since they arrived earlier this month.
The Ukrainian military says the crash wasn’t directly caused by a missile hit but confirmed that the pilot had successfully intercepted three Russian cruise missiles and one drone before being killed.
The Ukrainian Air Force praised Oleksiy Mes for his bravery, noting that he had protected many lives.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the F-16s are being used to intercept Russian drones and missiles. He has also requested permission from allies to use long-range missiles for deeper strikes into Russian territory. The Netherlands has promised to send 24 additional F-16s to Ukraine, and about 65 jets have been pledged by NATO countries since August 2023.
The loss of the F-16 is a setback for Zelensky, who plans to present a “victory plan” to U.S. President Joe Biden next month. Ukraine recently tested its first domestically-produced ballistic missile, though details remain scarce.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0532n9pdko