The Ukraine Air Force said on Friday that it “lost contact” with one of its F-16 jets after an “unusual incident” while repelling a Russian aerial attack. Following an undisclosed emergency situation on board, the pilot ejected from the jet after diverting it away from populated areas.
The Ukraine Air Force said in a statement, “According to preliminary data, the pilot destroyed three air targets and worked on the fourth one, using the air gun. However, an emergency situation occurred on board.” The pilot was found by the ground forces and safely evacuated.
There’s no evidence in public domain yet that the jet was lost due to Russian missiles. It’s the second F-16 Ukraine has lost after one of them crashed last year, killing the pilot, during a Russian air strike.
The loss of the Ukrainian F-16 jet comes days after reports of Pakistan losing one of their own during the conflict with India. The Pakistani F-16 was reported to have taken off from the Sargodha Air Base following which it was taken down by an Indian Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM). Sargodha Air Base is one of the air bases that was hit by India May 10.
There has not been any official confirmation of the downing of the US made jet from the Indian Government.
