Russian S-400 Air Defense System Shoots Down Ukrainian F-16 Jet

The Russian military shot down an F-16AM fighter jet of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the Sumy region on April 12 most likely by a missile from a S-400 air defense system.

Initial reports suggested that the F-16 was brought down during a dogfight with a Su-35S fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

However, according to eyewitnesses, the Ukrainian F-16AM blew up in a ball of fire which happens if an object of considerable firepower such as a missile from a  ground-based air defense systems, probably a S-400 which are stationed in the region. The witnesses told Russian officials that they saw anti-aircraft missiles ascending towards sky at the same time the Ukrainian fighter jet was seen in the air.

Two missiles missed, one got the F-16

Before the plane was destroyed, the F-16AM pilot tried to dodge two anti-aircraft missiles flying towards him. A total of three SAMs were launched at the plane. The pilot managed to lead the fighter away from two of them, but the third missile caught up with and hit the target.

At the controls of the destroyed F-16AM was 26-year-old officer Pavel Ivanov,who perished in the along the aircraft.

There is no information as yet of the debris of the aircraft or remains of the pilot.

Ukrainian Air Force Comment

The Ukrainian Air Force praised Ivanov’s dedication and bravery in a statement on Telegram.

"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.

An interdepartmental commission has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, according to the statement which does not say how the aircraft may have been destroyed.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his condolences on X, and said that the response will be “strong and precise.”

Ivanov was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, according to the website of the president.

“For personal courage and heroism, demonstrated in the protection of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the "Golden Star" order to Ivanov Pavlo Ivanovych,” the official statement from Zelensky said.

Ivanov's death marks the second F-16 pilot loss for Ukraine since receiving these jets, following Oleksii Mes’s death last August.