Reznikov assessed whether the F-16 disaster would affect fighter jet supplies.

The loss of the first Western F-16 fighter jet and the death of pilot Oleksiy Mes will not affect further decisions on the supply of new aircraft for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was stated in an exclusive interview with Radio Liberty by former Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.

I don't think this will affect the supplies in any way, because this is a war. This is not a TV series, and our partners in the West fully understand this. And when I communicated with my ministerial colleagues at that Time (when Reznikov was the Minister of Defense – ed.), they have an understanding, as strange as it may sound, but during the planning of any military operations the factor of losses is accounted for... Therefore, whatever happens, whether it's a tragic incident or the results of a battle, in any case, this definitely does not affect the supply plans, because this, essentially, falls into the category of predictable losses," Reznikov said.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that during the countering of a missile strike from the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, an F-16 fighter jet was lost. Both the jet and its pilot Oleksiy Mes, call sign "Moonfish", were lost.

"During the approach to the next target, communication was lost with one of the aircraft. As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed and the pilot was killed," the statement said.

F-16 Fighter Jet Crash

The F-16 fighter jet crash occurred on August 26, during the repulsion of a massive Russian strike. Pilot Oleksiy Mes destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack UAV during the air battle, the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Thursday. The pilot "saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles... at the cost of his own life," said the command of the Air Forces of Ukraine.