Another F-16 fighter crashed in Ukraine: the pilot used a catapult, an investigation has been launched

On the night of May 16, while repelling a Russian air strike in the skies over Ukraine, an F-16 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Armed Forces crashed. The Ukrainian Air Force Command officially announced this.

According to reports, the pilot managed to divert the plane away from residential areas due to the emergency situation. Before the crash, he used a catapult and was quickly evacuated by a search and rescue team.

Third F-16 crash

This is the third crash involving an American-made F-16 aircraft supplied to Ukraine by Western countries. Although it is encouraging that the pilot survived, the technical and military aspects of the issue require a serious study.

Ukrainian authorities have formed a special commission to determine the cause of the incident. The case is currently under investigation and it was reported that the possibility of a technical malfunction, human factor or external influences is being studied.

F-16: A strategic necessity for Ukraine

F-16 fighter jets were delivered to Ukraine by the United States in August 2024. In the first batch, 10 aircraft were transferred to Kiev, and it is planned to increase this number to 30 by the end of the year, and to 79 by 2025.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine needs at least 120-130 F-16s to organize an effective counterattack against the Russian air force.

Historical context: fallen heroes

The first F-16-related accident occurred in August 2024. At that time, a qualified pilot, Alexei Mes, was killed while repelling a missile attack. He was not only an experienced pilot, but also one of the people who promoted the initiative to supply F-16s to Ukraine on an international scale. During Mes's last flight, he managed to shoot down three missiles and one drone. He was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

The second crash was recorded on April 12, 2024. 26-year-old pilot Pavel Ivanov died and was also awarded a state award.

At a time when advanced technological F-16 fighters are of strategic importance for the Ukrainian army, such crashes are considered a heavy loss from both a technical and human resource perspective. Therefore, these situations are causing not only military but also political discussions.

The Zamin.uz editorial office will continue to closely monitor the development of these events. How do you imagine the future of F-16 aircraft in the Ukrainian army against the background of such crashes? Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!