Ukraine lost the F-16 and a pilot. “He died in battle, defending his native land against the occupiers”

On Saturday, the President of Ukraine Wołodymyr Złeski announced the death of the F-16 aircraft pilot, which died that day while performing combat tasks. “The boy was 26 years old,” wrote the head of the state on social networks.

“Today, unfortunately, he was killed in the fight on board F-16 Captain Pawło Ivanov. The boy was 26 years old. I express sympathy for the family and companions of Paweł's weapons,” said Zelanski.

He reported that the circumstances of the incident are currently being examined.

“Ukrainian (aircraft) F-16, Mirage, MIG-I, all our combat aircraft heroically perform combat tasks, defending our country and supporting ground operations. Air forces are also involved in defending Ukraine against Russian rockets and drones. We are proud of our soldiers. We will answer strongly and loudly”-emphasized the president.

Ukraine's Air Force reported in a statement that Captain Ivanov “died in battle, defending his native land against (Russian) occupants.” They did not reveal where the pilot was killed.

“Currently, F-16 pilots perform combat missions almost every day in various areas in extremely difficult conditions, providing hunting cover for shock groups and attacking enemy goals. Ukrainian pilots work at the maximum of their human and technical possibilities, risking life every time they perform combat missions. Paul was one of them!” – they passed the air force in a telegram.

This is the second Ukrainian pilot and the F-16 aircraft, which Ukraine lost during the war with Russia. The first such machine crashed in the last days of August last year.

The first F-16 arrived at Ukraine on July 31, 2024. The authorities in Kiev did not reveal how many machines they received at the time. About 60 aircraft was committed by a coalition of Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.

From Kiev Jarosław Junko (PAP)

JJK/ AP/