Syrsky promised to reveal the results of the investigation into the crash of the F-16 in the near future
The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Syrsky, said that the F-16 fighter jet that crashed in Ukraine was "chasing" one of the Russian missiles before the crash. At the same time, he did not confirm or deny the version that the plane was shot down from the Ukrainian Patriot air defense system, promising to disclose the results of the investigation "in the near future". Ukraine lost its first F-16 at the end of August, and the Rada called friendly fire the cause of the crash. At the same time, the WSJ suggested that a rocket exploded next to the plane.
A Ukrainian pilot who crashed on an F-16 fighter jet tried to shoot down a missile, Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Alexander Syrsky said in an interview with the American television channel CNN.
The commander refused to disclose other details and asked to wait for the results of the investigation by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. In particular, he did not confirm or deny the version that the pilot was shot down by friendly fire. Syrsky promised that the Ukrainian authorities would not hide their findings.
"I think that the results of the investigation will be known to everyone in the near future, I cannot comment on what has not yet been achieved," the commander-in-chief concluded.
At the same time, Syrsky stressed the effectiveness of the F-16 in Ukraine. According to him, the Armed Forces of Ukraine believe that the main task of fighters is to shoot down cruise missiles, and the aircraft have shown themselves well in this. So, in the incident with the loss of the F-16, two sides were lifted into the air, which together "shot down four missiles," the commander-in-chief claims.
The commander also added that Ukraine sent the best military personnel abroad to study flying on the F-16.
"The best pilots were selected, of course, they arrived well prepared, which was confirmed by our partners, and they received all permits to operate these aircraft," Syrsky described.
Friendly fire, loss of control, or a rocket explosion?
The first of the F-16 fighters transferred to Ukraine crashed on August 26, a few weeks after the Ukrainian Armed Forces received these aircraft. At the helm was 30-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Moonfish Mes, who completed accelerated training in the United States. The General Staff of Ukraine confirmed the loss of the fighter only on August 29, saying that the F-16 participated in repelling a missile attack.
"During the approach to the target, communication was lost with one of the aircraft. As it turned out later, it crashed," the General Staff said without explaining the reasons.
MP Mariana Bezuglaya, known for her harsh criticism of the AFU command, said on August 29 that the fighter was shot down by a missile from the Ukrainian Patriot air defense system "due to discoordination between units." She clarified that at that time Ukraine had experienced one of the most powerful attacks.
"The reports noted that he [the pilot] "lost control" of the war is a war, such episodes are possible. But the culture of lies in the command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as in other senior military headquarters, leads to the fact that the management system of military decisions does not improve," Bezuglaya was indignant.
Mykola Oleshchuk, who was then the commander of the Ukrainian Air Forces, replied that the army did not want to disclose information about the loss of the fighter until the investigation was completed. At the same time, he called Bezugly a "tool for discrediting" the military leadership and promised that she would have to apologize to the army in court. On the same day, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky fired Oleschuk, explaining that it was "time for conclusions."
Until now, the exact cause of the F-16 crash is unknown. The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, wrote on September 6 that a Russian missile exploded near the plane, which could have caused the pilot to descend too low to the ground. The publication noted that Ukrainian pilots, in principle, do not have enough experience to control fighters.
"This disaster showed what happens when you try to rush things," the WSJ article said.
Anna Gromova
