In a devastating blow to Ukraine's military, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet has been destroyed during a fierce attack by Russian missiles, a Ukrainian military source confirmed to the BBC. The aircraft, which was one of the recently delivered NATO allies' jets, went down on Monday, resulting in the tragic death of pilot Oleksiy Mes. This incident marks the first loss of its kind since the arrival of the F-16s earlier this month.

According to Ukrainian military reports, the cause of the crash was not a direct result of an enemy missile strike. Instead, the pilot, Oleksiy Mes, valiantly engaged in combat and managed to destroy three cruise missiles and one drone during Russia's largest aerial assault to date. In recognition of his bravery, the Ukrainian Air Force shared a statement on social media, proclaiming, "Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles."

While the statement did not explicitly mention the specific type of aircraft involved, a military source disclosed to the BBC that the downed aircraft was indeed an F-16 fighter jet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially confirmed on Tuesday that these US-made F-16s had been deployed with the mission to intercept Russian drones and missiles.

In an effort to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, President Zelensky has called upon allies to grant permission for the country to use long-range missiles to target deeper into Russian territory. Dutch Chief of Defence Gen Otto Eichelsheim further reinforced Ukraine's support by announcing that the Netherlands would provide them with an additional 24 F-16 jets, along with more weaponry. Eichelsheim emphasized that there would be no restrictions on their usage, except adherence to humanitarian law, potentially allowing Kyiv to launch deeper strikes into Russia.

Since US President Joe Biden's authorization in August 2023, a total of 65 F-16 fighter jets have been pledged by NATO countries to assist Ukraine. The F-16s will work alongside Western-supplied surface-to-air missile systems like Patriot and Nasams, which are already in place. These advanced defenses aid in protecting Ukraine against Russian glide bombs that possess precision strike capabilities, similar to JDAM munitions from the United States.

The destruction of the F-16 aircraft serves as a significant setback for President Zelensky, who had planned to present a "victory plan" to President Biden next month. Ukraine's leader also revealed that the country recently carried out a successful test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile, although specific details were withheld. With the support of Western technology and finance, Ukraine has been able to conduct numerous long-range strikes inside Russia.

President Zelensky is determined to showcase his victory plan not only to President Biden but also to US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The Ukrainian leader seeks to garner continued support and solidarity from the international community as the conflict with Russia intensifies.

The loss of the F-16 fighter jet and the sacrifice of pilot Oleksiy Mes stand as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. As both sides escalate their military capabilities, the situation in Eastern Europe remains highly volatile, necessitating diplomatic efforts to seek a peaceful resolution.