Oleksiy Mes, a prominent Ukrainian fighter pilot known by his call sign “Moonfish,” tragically lost his life on Thursday when a US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed while he was countering what is described as Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine to date.
The crash occurred just weeks after Ukraine received its long-awaited F-16 jets, according to a senior Ukrainian military official who confirmed the news to CNN.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have indicated that pilot error is not suspected as the cause of the crash, though an investigation is ongoing. International experts are expected to be involved in determining the exact cause of the incident.
Moonfish was laid to rest on Thursday, and his death is considered a significant loss for Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The F-16 jets, which began arriving earlier this month, were a highly anticipated addition to Ukraine’s military arsenal, particularly as the country seeks to strengthen its defenses against continued Russian aggression.
Moonfish was one of a select group of Ukrainian pilots trained to operate the advanced aircraft, having completed an accelerated training program in the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that the F-16s were deployed for the first time in combat during Monday’s attack, where they were used to intercept Russian missiles and drones. This marks the first official acknowledgment by Ukrainian authorities of the jets being used in active defense operations.
The journey to acquire the F-16s has been challenging, with Zelensky and his government engaging in “hundreds of meetings and negotiations” with Western allies. Although the Netherlands and Denmark committed to providing the jets in early summer 2023, the process was delayed due to the need for US approval, which was only granted several weeks later.
The F-16s are considered a critical asset for Ukraine, offering capabilities such as air cover, ground attack, enemy aircraft engagement, and missile interception. However, military experts caution that while these jets are versatile, they may still face challenges against Russia’s more advanced combat aircraft.
Moonfish, along with another pilot, Andriy Pilshchikov, known as “Juice,” played a key role in Ukraine’s campaign to secure the F-16s. Both pilots were seen as the public faces of the effort, known for their determination and fluency in English, which they used to advocate for the jets on the international stage.
Moonfish, an aviation enthusiast and a man of few words, reluctantly stepped into the spotlight following Juice’s death earlier this year. In a rare interview with CNN, he acknowledged the responsibility he felt to ensure the F-16s were delivered to Ukraine, fulfilling the vision that he and Juice had worked tirelessly to achieve.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ukrainian Air Force revealed that Moonfish successfully destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone during Monday’s operation before his jet went down. In recognition of his bravery and service, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of colonel.
