The Pentagon is not providing assistance in the investigation of the F-16 fighter jet crash, since Kyiv has not yet requested it.
About this stated Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary for the Pentagon, after information about the crash emerged:
“I saw the message, but I have no information about assistance being provided (in the investigation of the incident) from our side or requests for it from Ukraine.”
Singh noted that only the Ukrainian side can comment on the crash, and the Pentagon does not confirm information about the causes of the accident. She emphasized that the United States does not comment on the details of the incident or details regarding possible electronic equipment on board the fighters, and called for comments to be addressed directly to Ukraine.
Singh also declined to say how many F-16s are already in Ukraine or planned for deployment, calling it a matter of operational security:
“I will not go into details regarding the number of F-16s in Ukraine. This is a question for the Ukrainian side.”
Initially about the crash of the F-16 fighter jet reported some Western media, citing Ukrainian and American sources. They claimed that the incident occurred during a massive missile attack on Ukraine by Russia on Monday, August 26. The message from the Air Command “West” of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: “Defending our country, pilot of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksiy Mes was killed. He heroically fought his last battle in the sky. On August 26, Oleksiy, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack UAV. Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life.”
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the crash of an F-16 while repelling one of the air attacks RF, as a result of which the pilot died. The message appeared on the General Staff's Facebook page on the evening of August 29. It said that during an air battle, while approaching the next target, contact was lost with one of the F-16 aircraft:
“As it turned out later, the plane crashed and the pilot died.”
A special commission of the Ministry of Defense has been appointed to determine the causes of the accident. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, August 30, a day after it was announced that one of the American F-16 fighter jets delivered to Kyiv had crashed, killing its pilot. In a Telegram post after his decree was made public, Zelensky wrote:
“I have decided to replace the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Air Force. I am infinitely grateful to all our military pilots, all engineers, all soldiers of the fire groups, air defense crews, all those who are really fighting for Ukraine, for the result. This is also necessary at the command level, we must strengthen and take care of people, take care of the personnel, take care of all our soldiers.”
The Ukrainian president did not specify the reasons for Oleshchuk's dismissal, but said that the personnel must be protected and the administration must be strengthened. Oleshchuk's duties will be temporarily assumed by Vice Admiral Anatoliy Krivonosko.
The Ukrainian military did not specify the cause of the F-16 crash, stating only that writes CNN Greece that it crashed while approaching a Russian target. Oleshchuk said the US is helping to investigate the incident.
Earlier, Ukrainian MP Bezuglaya stated that the F-16 fighter jet was shot down by a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system on August 26 due to a lack of coordination between the Ukrainian Air Force units. Oleshchuk responded that an investigation would clarify all the circumstances of the crash, while Bezuglaya was discrediting the top military leadership:
“That is why I am addressing the people's deputy, who has long since sold her name to achieve her vile goals. Maryana, the time will come when you will ask forgiveness before the entire army for what you have done, I hope – in court!”
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