US-made F-16 fighter jet crashes during Russian aerial assault, kills top pilot

A US-made F-16 fighter jet given to Ukraine crashed on August 26, resulting in the death of its pilot, Oleksiy Mes, known by the call sign “Moonfish,” according to several US media reports. The incident occurred during a significant Russian aerial assault on Ukraine involving over 200 missiles and drones targeting civilian and energy facilities.

The crash happened while the pilot was “repelling the biggest ever aerial attack” by Russia against Ukraine, as reported by CNN, citing a source in the Ukrainian Defence Forces. The pilot was buried on Thursday. The crash is under investigation, and international experts will be invited to participate in the probe, CNN’s source added.

The crash was reportedly not caused by enemy fire but is believed to have resulted from pilot error. The F-16 was among the first jets delivered to Ukraine earlier in August, part of a broader initiative to enhance Ukraine’s air capabilities amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had confirmed the use of F-16s in countering the Russian attacks, which included downing numerous missiles and drones during the assault.

On August 26, Russian drones and missiles impacted Ukraine’s power grid across 15 regions, resulting in the deaths of at least four people and damaging the Kyiv Hydropower Power Plant along with other generation and transmission facilities.