Was Ukraine's F-16 jet downed by friendly fire? Kyiv lawmaker makes SHOCKING claim

A Ukrainian MP has claimed that the US-supplied F-16 fighter jet that crashed along with its pilot on Monday (Aug 26) may have been downed by friendly fire. The jet was involved in repelling a major Russian aerial attack when it crashed, according to the Ukrainian Army.

Lawmaker Mariana Bezuglaya saidPatriot anti-aircraft missiles used by the Ukrainian forces to thwart Russian threats may have destroyed the jet.

“According to my information, the F-16 piloted by Aleksey ‘Moonfish’ Mes was hit by a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system due to discoordination between units,” wroteBezuglaya on Telegram.

Bezuglaya called out the culture of lies that had infested the Ukrainian military where such incidents were being swept under the rug.

“War is war, such episodes are possible. But a culture of liesleads to a management system for military decisions that does not improve based on truthful, consistently collected analytics, but worsens and even collapses, as seen in the Pokrovsk direction,” she added.

Watch |Russia-Ukraine war | Reports: Ukraine's top pilot killed in F-16 crash

What did Kyiv say?

In the aftermath of the incident, the Ukrainian Army saidcommunication with the F-16 was lost as the planes approached their next target.

“As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot,” the military said.

Ukraine’s Western air command unit later revealed the name of the pilot, identified asOleksiy Mes.

“On 26 August, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone."

“Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life,” it added.

US statement on F-16 crash

Quizzed about the incident and if there was friendly fire involved, Washington refused to comment saying it was not part of the investigation.

"I just can't confirm it. I don't have that level of fidelity right now. So in terms of if this pilot was killed and it was brought down by friendly fire - that I just can't speak to, that'd really be something for the Ukrainians to speak to," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

"The United States has not been asked to participate in any type of investigation to look into this incident," she added.

The incident transpired just weeks after Kyiv began taking delivery of the planes. As many as six F-16 jets are currently in Ukraine's command and as per President Volodymyr Zelensky, they had shown good results in repelling the Russian attacks.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photosandvideos.

(With inputs from agencies)