The Ukrainian Air Force F-16 fighter jet that crashed on Monday was likely not shot down by a Patriot surface-to-air missile system, The New York Times reported, citing senior U.S. military officials.
“Two senior U.S. military officials said friendly fire was likely not the cause of the F-16 downing, and that U.S. and Ukrainian investigators are looking at various possibilities. They could include things like mechanical failure or pilot error,” the article said.
“Many things could have led to the loss of the F-16, including the technical condition of the aircraft, pilot error, and external factors,” said Mr. Khrapchinsky, a former employee of the Ukrainian Air Force.
For example, according to him, it is possible that fragments of the destroyed missile could have hit a vital part of the plane.
Recall that earlier, People's Deputy Mariana Bezugla stated that the plane was shot down by friendly fire. After that, Zelensky dismissed the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleschuk.
