Kyiv - (Saba):
The Ukrainian Air Force announced the loss of an F-16 fighter jet in a mid-flight accident, noting that the pilot successfully ejected and survived.
The Ukrainian Air Force explained in a statement via Telegram that the accident occurred this morning due to an "unusual situation" during the aircraft's flight, adding that the pilot successfully steered the aircraft away from residential areas before ejecting.
The Air Force confirmed that the accident did not appear to be caused by "Russian fire," noting that an official investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the incident.
It is noteworthy that in late August, an F-16 fighter jet crashed, killing the pilot while responding to a Russian air strike.
Ukraine began receiving this type of aircraft from its Western allies last year as part of a military support program, without disclosing the total number of aircraft received.