On 29 July 2026, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the loss of an F-16 during a combat mission to intercept Russian air targets. The pilot ejected and survived.

According to the Air Force, controllers lost contact with the aircraft while it was engaged over one section of the front. The pilot was recovered after ejecting and taken to a medical facility for examination; his life is not in danger. The service reported no civilian casualties or damage on the ground, and said the cause is under investigation.

Ukraine has flown the F-16 since 2024, using it heavily to intercept Russian cruise missiles and Shahed-type drones aimed at its cities. The fleet, supplied by NATO partners, is small and hard-worked; this is among a handful of F-16 losses reported since the type entered Ukrainian service. It comes only weeks after Ukraine reported its first F-16 air-to-air kill.

No further details on the cause have been released. The investigation is ongoing.

Sources: Ukrainian Air Force (Telegram); Kyiv Independent; UNITED24 Media; Reuters.