Just a month ago, the first F-16 fighter jets were delivered to Ukraine – now the first plane has crashed there. Pilot error is said to be responsible for the accident.
As the Wall Street Journal reported, the crash occurred on Monday. That day, Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine. There were also bombings in the area where the F-16 was deployed. But it is not said that the jet was shot down; rather, the pilot is said to have made a serious mistake.
A photo of the pilot who is believed to have died in the crash:
The murdered pilot was only 30 years old
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the plane was used in combat for the first time during the airstrikes. The intention was to shoot down Russian missiles. The 30-year-old pilot, Oleksiy Mes, is said to have lost his life in the accident.
The loss of the F-16 is devastating for Ukraine; so far, only six of the US-built aircraft have been delivered. Ukraine had been asking for the modern fighter jets to be made available for months. The death of the pilot is also very painful: only six people are trained to fly the F-16.
The F-16 fighter jets are among the most powerful in the world: they can be used both in air defense and against targets on the ground. In addition, access to spare parts is considerably better than for the Soviet types previously used by the Ukrainian Air Force.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
