A Ukrainian fighter pilot was killed during a combat mission on Saturday, when his F-16 Viper jet was shot down, Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) confirmed on Telegram. UAF identified the pilot as Pavlo Ivanov, 26. “We extend our deepest condolences to Pavlo’s family. He died in battle, defending his native land from the occupiers,” its statement read.
The Air Force did not provide the location or exact circumstances of the crash. However, Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers claimed the aircraft was brought down by a missile, possibly a Russian S-400 surface-to-air system or an R-37 air-to-air missile.
#BREAKING F-16 aircrafts are easily vulnerable to russian air defense!
It is being reported by russian channels that the Ukrainian F-16 was shot down by a russian S-400 AD system. More than one salvo of missiles were launched at the aircraft, and the pilot was able to evade the… pic.twitter.com/HH0erphAWJ— Ukraine Front Line (@EuromaidanPR) April 12, 2025
There is also speculation it may have been friendly fire. These claims, however, have not been confirmed.
Ukraine’s Air Force said an interdepartmental commission is investigating the incident.
The Air Force praised Ivanov for his service and bravery. “Ukrainian pilots are working to the fullest extent of their human and technical capabilities, risking their lives every time they carry out a combat mission. Pavlo was one of them.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Ivanov the title of Hero of Ukraine, along with the Golden Star medal. In his official statement, Zelenskyy said Ivanov showed “personal courage and heroism” in defending the country.
The F-16s, recently delivered by European allies, are a key part of Ukraine’s effort to modernize its air force. They are used for intercepting missiles and drones, and attacking enemy targets.
Ivanov’s death marks Ukraine’s second confirmed loss of both an F-16 jet and its pilot. The first occurred in August 2024, when Oleksii “Moonfish” Mes was killed while responding to a Russian missile strike.
The Ukrainian Air Force has announced the loss of its second F-16 “Fighting Falcon” Multirole Fighter since receiving them last year from a coalition of countries in Europe, during a combat mission earlier today in Eastern Ukraine, as well as the death of its pilot 26-year-old… pic.twitter.com/Lb3mlDX5AQ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 12, 2025
