Ukraine's Air Force lost another F-16 fighter jet on July 29 when the aircraft crashed during a combat mission to intercept Russian aerial targets, Ukrainian military officials reported.
According to preliminary information, an emergency situation occurred on board. The pilot ejected, was successfully evacuated, and taken to a hospital for examination, the Air Force said. There were no civilian casualties or property damage from the crash.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. Experts and law enforcement officers are working at the crash site.
This is the fourth F-16 lost by Ukraine since deliveries began. The first aircraft crashed on August 29, 2024, while repelling a massive Russian missile strike — its pilot, Oleksiy Mes, was killed. The second was lost on April 12, 2025, killing pilot Pavlo Ivanov. Both were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. The third loss was recorded on May 16, 2025, during a Russian drone attack — that pilot survived.
Ukraine received its first 10 F-16 fighters in early August 2024 from a coalition of European countries led by Denmark and the Netherlands. The Ukrainian Armed Forces currently operate several dozen such aircraft, according to various estimates. The exact number is classified.