Ukraine: A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet disintegrated locally on Monday. Ukraine reported that the plane went down while repelling a major Russian attack that day. This was the first such incident after the delivery of the completed aircraft from the United States. Captain Oleksii Mays, one of the top Ukrainian pilots, was known by the call sign 'Moonfish.' His death is a significant loss for Ukraine, as he was among the few pilots trained to operate the newly acquired F-16s. Just weeks after the long-awaited F-16s were delivered, one of the US-built fighter jets crashed, killing the pilot.
 |
| F16s |
The Western Regional Command of Ukraine's air force stated on Facebook that pilot Oleksiy Mays died during a combat mission on Monday. The statement noted that Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles but tragically lost his own life. CNN reported in 2023 that Oleksii Mays was training for F-16 missions. The Ukrainian General Staff said on Facebook that the warplane was struck while approaching a Russian target, resulting in the pilot's death. Russia launched over 200 missiles and drones that day, targeting Ukraine's energy sector. The statement also mentioned that the F-16 demonstrated high efficiency by shooting down four Russian cruise missiles. However, the aircraft lost contact and later crashed, leading to the pilot's death. Meanwhile, a US defense official stated that Monday's crash does not appear to have been caused by a Russian attack, though possible causes such as pilot error or mechanical failure are still under investigation.
