In the early hours of today, May 16, 2025, an event involved an F-16 fighter aircraft in service with the Ukrainian Air Force, engaged in defensive operations against enemy air raids. The information, released through official channels of the Air Force, specifies that the incident occurred around 03:30. According to the first available information, the pilot of the fighter, before an emergency situation arose on board, had effectively countered the enemy air offensive by destroying three targets in flight and concentrating the fire of his armament on a fourth.

The pilot's promptness, the statement reads, allowed the fighter to move away from inhabited areas before activating the ejection system. A search and rescue team subsequently took care of his rapid recovery. Military authorities assure that the pilot is in good health and safe. A special commission has been appointed to conduct an investigation to ascertain the causes of the incident. At this time, no further details have been provided on the specific nature of the emergency encountered by the aircraft.

This incident is the second known incident involving an F-16 in service with Ukraine since the country began receiving the American-made aircraft in the Summer of 2024, with the support of allied nations and a program promoted by the US administration. A previous incident with a fatal outcome for the pilot occurred in late August during a large-scale Russian air strike.

Ukraine is keeping information about the number of F-16s it has and their operational status confidential. In parallel, since March of this year, Ukrainian forces have also been using Mirage 2000 fighters supplied by France in combat operations. In the past, the Ukrainian Air Force has expressed the need for a significant number of Western combat aircraft, estimated at 120 to 130 units, to effectively compete with Russian air superiority. These assets are considered crucial to strengthening its defense capabilities in the face of the persistent Russian threat.