Ukrainian law enforcement officers continue their investigation into the F-16 fighter jet crash, in which Ukrainian pilot Oleksiy Mes tragically died. As reported by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), 11 forensic examinations have been scheduled to determine the causes and circumstances of the accident.
Specialists are examining information from the flight recorder, as well as conducting forensic and commodity examinations. The State Bureau of Investigation emphasized that until all examinations are completed, it is impossible to speak about the specific causes of the accident or the possible responsibility of officials or the pilot.
In September, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, stated that the results of the investigation would be known soon. However, examinations and data collection are still ongoing, and the final conclusions have not yet been announced.
Incident versions
Journalists of Breaking Defense, citing sources in Ukraine, noted that among the possible scenarios of the crash, the version being discussed is that the plane fell into a cloud of debris after intercepting a Russian missile. It is assumed that this debris could have damaged the engine and important systems of the F-16, as a result of which the plane broke up. Presumably, the pilot did not have time to eject, which led to fatal consequences.
On August 29, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the loss of an F-16 fighter jet that had previously participated in intercepting cruise missiles. The Air Force reported that Oleksiy Mes heroically performed the task, destroying three missiles and one attack drone.
A special commission of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with the participation of American partners is investigating the circumstances of the crash. A day after the tragedy, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk from the post of commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This decision, according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, was not related to the F-16 crash.
