In an incident attributed to a heightened state of combat readiness, a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was mistakenly downed by Russian forces over Crimea, according to Ukraine. The mishap occurred over the annexed peninsula, with Ukraine’s Navy spokesman, Dmytro Pletenchuk, highlighting on Ukrainian television the role of “the human factor” where an operator, driven by the prospect of receiving a medal, failed to verify the aircraft’s allegiance.
The incident was first reported by Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-appointed leader in Sevastopol, who noted that a Russian warplane “crashed” off the Crimean coast. He confirmed that the pilot had ejected safely and was subsequently rescued. Footage shared on Russian Telegram channels depicted the aircraft ablaze during its descent, accompanied by the pilot’s parachute, a Newsweek report said.
Russian Telegram channels shared purported footage of the plane which was burning as it fell and a parachute of the ejected pilot.
The Crimean Wind Telegram channel claimed the plane was accidentally shot down by Russia’s own forces after taking off from the Belbek military airfield.
Over the last two months, Russia’s Air Force has suffered particularly heavy aircraft losses including more than a dozen warplanes such as Su-34 fighter bombers, Su-35 fighter jets, and a rare A-50 military spy plane.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is anticipating a boost in its own aviation capabilities, announcing that the first F-16 fighter jets supplied by its allies would be in operation within a few months.
Following the U.S. approval for the American-made planes to be used, a coalition of countries has pledged to provide the fourth-generation jets whose technology is a step up from the Soviet-era MiG and Sukhoi jets Kyiv now relies on.
Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced on Friday a military assistance package which contains $107 million to maintain and support the jets.
Denmark said Ukraine could receive its F-16 fighter jets “this summer” and The Telegraph estimated that Kyiv may receive as many as 60 of the aircraft.
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