Oleksiy Mes, known by his call sign “Moonfish,” was a distinguished Ukrainian fighter pilot who tragically lost his life on Monday, August 26, 2024, when his F-16 fighter jet crashed during a critical mission. The incident occurred during what is considered the largest aerial assault by Russia on Ukraine to date, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Mes, born on October 20, 1993, developed a passion for aviation early in life, a passion that would shape his military career. He joined the Ukrainian Air Force and quickly established himself as a capable and dedicated pilot. By June 2022, Mes had risen to the position of squadron commander, leading a unit of MiG-29 fighters. His expertise and leadership were instrumental during the initial stages of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In August 2023, Mes began training in the United States to transition from flying MiG-29s to operating the advanced F-16 fighter jets. This training, typically a multi-year process, was condensed into six months due to the urgency of the war. Mes’s commitment to mastering the F-16 was evident, and he soon became one of the first Ukrainian pilots qualified to fly the aircraft in combat.
Mes’s advocacy for modernizing Ukraine’s air force was as important as his flying skills. Along with another prominent Ukrainian pilot, Andriy “Juice” Pilshchykov, Mes became a key figure in Ukraine’s efforts to secure F-16s from its Western allies. “Juice” tragically died in a plane crash during a combat mission last August.
In June 2022, Mes and “Juice” traveled to the United States, meeting with US lawmakers to lobby for the delivery of advanced fighter jets to Ukraine. Their efforts were supported by actor Sean Penn, who helped amplify their message during meetings in Washington DC. These lobbying efforts culminated in the introduction of the “Ukraine Fighter Pilots Act” by US Representative Adam Kinzinger, a bill that was co-sponsored by several other members of Congress.
Following the approval and delivery of the F-16s, Mes played a pivotal role in integrating these jets into Ukraine’s air force. His transition from training to active combat duty was rapid, and he became the first Ukrainian pilot to sit at the controls of an F-16, later leading combat missions with the aircraft. His contributions were seen as critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy.
During the August 26 attack, Oleksiy Mes was flying one of the F-16s as part of a mission to intercept and destroy incoming Russian missiles. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the F-16s demonstrated their effectiveness by downing four Russian cruise missiles during the operation. However, communication with Mes’s aircraft was lost as he approached another target, and the jet ultimately crashed, resulting in his death.
The Ukrainian Air Force issued a statement confirming Mes’s death and highlighting his actions during the mission. “He heroically fought his last battle in the sky. Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one kamikaze drone, while repelling a massive Russian combined air and missile attack,” the statement read. His actions potentially saved many lives by neutralizing the incoming threats, but they came at the cost of his own.
The crash is currently under investigation, with international experts expected to be involved in the probe. Preliminary reports suggest that the crash was not caused by enemy fire, with other possible causes, such as pilot error or mechanical failure, still being examined. The loss of an F-16 so soon after their introduction is a significant setback for Ukraine, which reportedly has a very limited number of these jets — just six according to some sources.
As one of the first pilots trained to operate the F-16, Mes’ loss is a severe blow to Ukraine’s air force, both in terms of manpower and morale. Mes was not only a skilled pilot but also a key figure in the campaign to secure these jets for Ukraine, making his death a symbolic loss as well.
The incident also raises questions about the challenges and risks associated with operating advanced aircraft in a high-intensity conflict. While the F-16s have shown their value in combat, their effectiveness is limited by several factors, including the small number of jets available and the formidable air defenses that Russia has in place.
Military analysts have cautioned that while the F-16s provide a significant boost to Ukraine’s capabilities, they are not a silver bullet that will decisively change the course of the war. Furthermore, the loss of one of these aircraft highlights the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by Ukraine’s air force. Despite the arrival of modern jets, Ukraine’s air force remains a fraction of the size and sophistication of Russia’s, and it must contend with a well-prepared adversary that has had time to develop countermeasures against the F-16s.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had been advocating for the F-16s since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in early 2022. Western countries, particularly the United States, were initially hesitant to provide such advanced weaponry, fearing an escalation of the conflict. It wasn’t until early summer 2023 that the Netherlands and Denmark pledged to provide F-16s to Ukraine, a decision later approved by the United States.
The F-16s were quickly put to the test during a massive Russian missile and drone attack on August 26, 2024. The attack, which targeted critical infrastructure across Ukraine, involved more than 127 missiles and 100 drones. Ukrainian forces, including the newly deployed F-16s, were tasked with repelling the attack. Currently, across the country, efforts are underway to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike.
