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Fighter Pilot Who Helped Introduce F-16s to Ukraine Posthumously Honored as Hero of Ukraine
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![Maryna_kulakova]( "Maryna Kulakova")
-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Maryna Kulakova")
Colonel Oleksii Mes of the Ukrainian Air Force, who died while carrying out a combat mission on August 26, 2024, has been posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the corresponding decree, No. 165/2025, on March 14.
“For personal bravery and heroism in defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for his selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: To confer the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Golden Star upon Colonel Oleksii Serhiiovych Mes (posthumously),” the statement reads.
Born on October 20, 1993, in Shepetivka, Khmelnytskyi region, Mes was known by the call sign “Moonfish.”
He graduated with honors from the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv in 2016 and joined the Ukrainian Air Force, quickly establishing himself as a skilled MiG-29 fighter pilot. His dedication and expertise led to his appointment as a squadron commander, according to Militarnyi.
In 2019, Mes participated in a US-Ukraine military cooperation program, where he observed the mid-air refueling of an F-15D Eagle from the 144th Fighter Wing of the US Air National Guard.
In June 2022, Mes and fellow pilot Andrii Pilshchykov, known as “Juice,” traveled to the United States to advocate for the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. They met with US lawmakers and government officials, emphasizing the need to strengthen Ukraine’s air capabilities against Russian aggression. Their efforts contributed to Congressman Adam Kinzinger introducing the Ukraine Fighter Pilots Act in the US House of Representatives, proposing $100 million in funding for Ukrainian pilot training on F-16s.
In September 2023, Mes became one of the first Ukrainian pilots to begin F-16 training in the United Kingdom. His rapid mastery of the aircraft and leadership skills made him a key figure in Ukraine’s transition to Western aviation standards.
On August 26, 2024, during a massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine, Mes destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone, saving numerous lives.
Earlier in March, it was reported that French Mirage-2000 fighter jets have been used in combat over Ukraine for the first time, engaging to repel a massive Russian missile attack targeting the country’s critical infrastructure, Ukrainian Air Force Command reported on March 7.
