A Ukrainian F-16 pilot has been killed in action, only the second F-16 fighter to have died defending their homeland against Russia, the country’s Air Force has announced.
Captain Pavlo Ivanov had been on an undisclosed mission on Saturday when his fighter jet was reported downed.
Taking to social media, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "Captain Pavlo Ivanov was tragically killed during an F-16 combat mission.
“The guy was only 26. My condolences to his family and to all of Pavlo’s brothers-in-arms.”
Zelenskyy added: “Ukrainian F-16s, Mirages, and MiGs, all our combat aviation heroically carry out missions, defending our state and supporting ground operations.
“The Air Force is also engaged in defending Ukraine from Russian missiles and drones.
“We are proud of our warriors. Our response will be strong and precise. Glory to Ukraine!”
“He died in battle, defending his native land from the occupiers,” the message read.
“Ukrainian pilots work at the maximum of human and technical capabilities, risking their lives every time when performing combat missions. Pavlo was one of them!"
Ivanov is the second F-16 pilot to have been killed in the war. The first, Oleksii Mes, died last August when his plane crashed while repelling a massive Russian attack.
Ukraine has no F-16s of its own but has received an unspecified number from allied countries.
The first batch arrived in August last year, following extensive foreign training of Ukrainian pilots.
Last month, President Zelenskyy confirmed the arrival of more of the jets from the West, without specifying their number or origins.
Taking to social media, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "Captain Pavlo Ivanov was tragically killed during an F-16 combat mission.
“The guy was only 26. My condolences to his family and to all of Pavlo’s brothers-in-arms.”
Zelenskyy added: “Ukrainian F-16s, Mirages, and MiGs, all our combat aviation heroically carry out missions, defending our state and supporting ground operations.
“The Air Force is also engaged in defending Ukraine from Russian missiles and drones.
“We are proud of our warriors. Our response will be strong and precise. Glory to Ukraine!”
The Air Force announced Ivanov’s death on the Telegram app, adding that an interdepartmental commission had already started working to establish the circumstances of his death.Today, Captain Pavlo Ivanov was tragically killed during an F-16 combat mission. The guy was only 26. My condolences to his family and to all of Pavlo’s brothers-in-arms.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 12, 2025
Military officials provided the necessary reports on this combat situation. We are establishing all the…
“He died in battle, defending his native land from the occupiers,” the message read.
“Ukrainian pilots work at the maximum of human and technical capabilities, risking their lives every time when performing combat missions. Pavlo was one of them!"
Ivanov is the second F-16 pilot to have been killed in the war. The first, Oleksii Mes, died last August when his plane crashed while repelling a massive Russian attack.
Ukraine has no F-16s of its own but has received an unspecified number from allied countries.
The first batch arrived in August last year, following extensive foreign training of Ukrainian pilots.
Last month, President Zelenskyy confirmed the arrival of more of the jets from the West, without specifying their number or origins.
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