Ukraine's First F-16 Jet Down: Pilot Dies in Mission

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet crashed during a significant Russian attack, resulting in the pilot's death. The incident is the first loss since the U.S.-made jets arrived in Ukraine, marking a considerable blow to the country's new fleet. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

In a significant setback for Ukraine, one of its recently acquired F-16 fighter jets crashed on Monday while countering a major Russian offensive, marking the first loss of such advanced aircraft. The incident resulted in the death of the pilot, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed on Thursday via Facebook.

The jet was approaching a Russian target when it went down. Despite the tragic loss, the F-16s had shown high efficiency, successfully downing four Russian cruise missiles, the military stated. Ukrainian forces reported that over 200 Russian missiles and drones targeted the country's energy sector that day.

A U.S. defense official told Reuters that preliminary investigations indicate the crash was not caused by Russian fire but could be due to pilot error or mechanical failure. Further investigations are ongoing. Despite this loss, the arrival of F-16 jets is a significant milestone for Ukraine as it continues to combat the Russian invasion.

(With inputs from agencies.)