The Ukrainian F-16 may have been shot down by a Patriot air defense system – New York Times

The American newspaper The New York Times has confirmed the theory that a Ukrainian F-16 aircraft might have been shot down by a Patriot air defense system.

This information was provided to the publication by a Western official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

However, according to this official, pilot error or technical malfunction cannot yet be ruled out.

“Keeping track of who the good guys and bad guys are, especially when missiles are flying around simultaneously, is challenging,” said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

The publication connects this incident with the dismissal of the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk. The newspaper also notes that the deceased pilot, Oleksiy Mes, was one of ten Ukrainians who had undergone an accelerated training program before entering combat, which is considered an additional risk factor.

“It will take years before the Ukrainian Air Force has enough experience to effectively carry out combat missions on the F-16,” the publication writes.

To recall, on August 26, during a massive attack on Ukraine, the first F-16 crashed.

Ukrainian MP Maryana Bezuhla stated that it was shot down by Ukrainian air defense.