How 26-year-old Hero of Ukraine, F-16 pilot Pavlo Ivanov died: first details

The Ukrainian Air Force reported the information.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Pavlo’s family. He was killed in battle, defending his homeland from Russian occupiers,” the statement reads.

The Air Force emphasized that in the current realities, F-16 pilots “almost daily carry out combat missions in various directions under incredibly difficult conditions.” They provide fighter cover for aviation strike groups and carry out strikes on Russian targets.

“Ukrainian pilots operate at the maximum of human and technical capabilities, always risking their lives during combat missions. Pavlo was one of them,” the Air Force added.

The circumstances of the tragic incident are currently being investigated by an interagency commission, which has already begun its work.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed condolences to the fallen pilot’s family, noting that he had received reports from the military leadership regarding the incident.

“Military reports on this combat situation were necessary. We are clarifying all the circumstances,” the president added.

Subsequently, Zelenskyy issued Decree 232/2025 awarding Pavlo Ivanov the title of Hero of Ukraine. The decree was published on the website of the President's office.

“For personal courage and heroism in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I hereby decree: to award the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star to Pavlo Ivanov, Major (posthumously),” the statement reads.

Details of the cause of death

According to BBC News Ukraine's sources, Ivanov's aircraft was probably shot down by a Russian missile.

“In total, the Russians fired three missiles at the fighter jet. It was either a guided anti-aircraft missile from the S-400 ground-based system or an R-37 air-to-air missile,” the source said.

The circumstances are still under investigation.

However, the source rules out “friendly fire” in this situation. According to the source, there could not have been any Ukrainian air defense systems operating in the area where Ivanov was performing his mission.

• Last month, it was reported that volunteer, translator, organizer of the Avdiivka FM festival, and soldier of the 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksiy Savkevych, was killed on the front line.