Ukraine Confirms Loss of F-16, Pilot Killed on Combat Mission

The Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) command writing on Facebook on Saturday reported the death of 26-year-old fighter pilot Pavlo Ivanov killed during a combat mission in an F-16 Viper fighter aircraft.

Although the official statement did not specify the location or circumstances of the loss, both Russian and Ukrainian milbloggers claimed the aircraft was brought down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) amid speculation as to whether the plane was shot down by Russian forces or as a result of friendly fire from Ukrainian air defenses.

The UAF statement went on to say:

“We extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s family. He was killed in battle defending his native land from the invaders...”

“Today, F-16 pilots carry out combat missions in various directions in incredibly difficult conditions, carrying out destructive cover for air strike groups and striking enemy objects.”

“Ukrainian pilots work to the maximum of human and technical capabilities every time risking their lives during combat missions. Paul was one of them!”

It added that the full circumstances of the tragedy have already been established by an ongoing interdepartmental commission’s investigation.

The loss of the Viper is only the second confirmed loss of one of the relatively small numbers of the aircraft Ukraine has received from the NATO F-16 consortium. The first loss was on Aug. 26, 2024, in which its pilot Oleksii “Moonfish” Mes also died, as the aircraft was responding to a major Russian missile attack.

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Ukraine said it attacked two bridges used to supply Russian forces, several drone command posts and confirmed extensive damage to the Slavyansky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

The incident was first reported in the Wall Street Journal amid speculation that this was also a “friendly fire” incident or simply the result of a mechanical failure.

As Kyiv Post reported on Friday US Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that UAF F-16 pilots were flying “every day.”

He said they were performing both defensive operations against Russian cruise missile and Shahed kamikaze drone attacks as well as offensive strikes against Russian forces in Ukraine’s eastern region.

Cavoli said, “They fly every day; they’ve defeated a large number of cruise missile threats, and they’ve delivered an awful lot of offensive attacks as well – specifically bombing attacks in the east.”