The Ukrainian Air Force reported the loss of contact with an F-16 fighter jet during a combat mission in the early hours of May 16. According to preliminary information, the pilot encountered an emergency situation on board while engaging Russian aerial targets. Despite successfully destroying three targets, the pilot had to eject as contact with the aircraft was lost around 3:30 a.m. Kyiv time. The pilot managed to divert the plane away from populated areas before ejecting and was later