F‑16 crash in Ukraine: Investigation into possible friendly fire
An investigation is underway to clarify the causes of the Ukrainian F-16 aircraft disaster. There are indications that the aircraft may have crashed as a result of friendly fire from the Patriot system, reported "New York Times" on Saturday, citing a Western government official. However, investigators do not rule out a mechanical failure or pilot error.
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Military experts quoted by the newspaper claim that "the possibility of friendly fire incidents becomes especially acute during mass attacks by missiles and drones."
- Keeping track of what’s the good guy and what’s the bad guy particularly when there are missiles flying around at the same time is difficult - said Mark Cancian from the American think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). - Fratricide is a huge problem - he added.
"NYT" reminded that the USA has supplied Ukraine with Patriot air defence systems, which include radars and mobile missile launchers and are used for defence against Russian military air attacks.
Ukrainian pilot dies in F-16 crash
Ukraine lost the first F-16 aircraft delivered from the West; the aircraft crashed in an accident last Monday. The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed the loss of the F-16 aircraft and the death of the pilot on Thursday evening Eastern Time. The Ukrainian Air Force Command "West" stated that in the airplane crash that took place on Monday, August 26, pilot Lt. Col. Oleksiy Mes, one of the six Ukrainian pilots who underwent accelerated training in the USA for piloting these fighters, was killed. Experts believe that the shortened training might pose an additional risk.
The communication informed that a special commission of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has been appointed to investigate the causes of the disaster and is already working at the site of the incident.
Just a few days ago, Ukraine received six of the 45 F-16s promised by European allies.
"The loss of one so soon after their arrival is a significant blow to Ukraine’s effort to integrate the aircraft into its war effort, and to convince NATO allies that it can efficiently handle sophisticated Western weapons," the newspaper reads.
