On April 12, 2025, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov, a Ukrainian pilot of an F-16 fighter jet, was killed while performing a combat mission.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.
“On April 12, 2025, during a combat mission, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov was killed while flying an F-16. We express our deepest condolences to Pavlo’s family. He died in battle, defending his homeland from the occupiers,” the post said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that today, F-16 pilots are carrying out combat missions almost daily across various fronts in incredibly challenging conditions, providing fighter cover for strike aviation groups and hitting enemy targets.
“Ukrainian pilots are working to the fullest extent of their human and technical capabilities, risking their lives every time they carry out a combat mission. Pavlo was one of them!” the post said.
All circumstances of the tragedy are being investigated by an interdepartmental commission, which has already begun its work.
Source: Ukraine's F-16 pilot killed while performing combat mission
