Kyiv, September 02, 2024, The Europe Today: Ukraine confirmed the loss of its first Western-supplied F-16 fighter jet last week, though the cause of the incident remains under investigation, prompting widespread speculation. The aircraft, piloted by one of Ukraine’s top aviators, Aleksey ‘Moonfish’ Mes, crashed on Monday, resulting in his death. The Ukrainian government did not publicly acknowledge the loss until Thursday, providing no details on the cause.
Speculation arose following comments from Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya, who claimed that Mes’s jet had been accidentally shot down by a US-made Patriot air defense system, supplied to Ukraine as part of Western military aid. This claim has fueled concerns about the integration and coordination of advanced Western military equipment in Ukraine’s defense operations.
An unnamed Western official, reportedly briefed on the preliminary investigation, suggested to the New York Times on Friday that there were “indications” the jet might have been downed by friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery. However, in a contradictory update on Saturday, two senior US military officials informed the newspaper that friendly fire was “probably not” the cause, with investigators now considering other possibilities such as mechanical failure or pilot error.
When questioned about the incident, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated on Thursday that the United States had not been asked to participate in the investigation.
The crash occurred during a “massive high-precision attack” by Russia, which targeted key energy facilities and airfields across Ukraine. Kyiv reported that Mes had successfully intercepted and destroyed three Russian cruise missiles and one attack drone before the crash. At the time, Ukraine had multiple air defense systems deployed, including Patriots, mobile groups with Stinger missiles, and British Starstreak missiles.
The loss of the F-16 comes shortly after a handful of these US-made aircraft were delivered to Ukraine earlier this month. While the United States has not committed to sending its own F-16s to Ukraine, it has authorized other NATO members to do so. A coalition of European countries has promised over 80 F-16s to Kyiv, though fewer than a dozen have been delivered so far.
The incident has also drawn attention to the logistical challenges of maintaining the advanced aircraft in a war zone. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration has rejected a Pentagon plan to send American contractors to Ukraine for servicing the jets, due to concerns over their safety amid the ongoing conflict.
Adding to the tension, a Russian company has reportedly offered a reward of 15 million rubles ($170,000) for the first confirmed downing of an F-16 in combat. No claims have been made for the reward as of yet.
The incident underscores the complexities and risks involved in the ongoing integration of Western military technology into Ukraine’s defense efforts, raising questions about the coordination and safety of such operations as the conflict continues.
