The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has launched a pre-trial investigation into the crash of a Mirage-2000 military aircraft in Volyn region.
As reported by Ukrinform, the SBI released an official statement on the matter.
The incident occurred in the evening of July 22 at one of the region’s airfields during a combat flight mission.
Immediately after the crash, investigators and operational officers from the SBI’s Territorial Office in Lviv arrived at the scene. To ensure a prompt, thorough, and objective investigation, a special investigative group was formed, composed of the most experienced officers from both the local office and the SBI’s Central Directorate, with prior experience investigating military aviation accidents.
Preliminary findings indicate that shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a critical electronics failure to flight control. The aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area and sank in a flooded crater within marshy terrain. Thanks to the pilot’s professional actions, no casualties or damage on the ground occurred.
The pilot successfully ejected in time and was quickly located by a search-and-rescue team. His condition is reported as stable, and he has received the necessary medical care.
The incident has been classified under Part 2 of Article 416 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of flight rules or preparation procedures resulting in a crash.
Investigators have examined the crash site, seized official documentation and physical evidence, and questioned witnesses. Upcoming steps include interviews with responsible personnel, technical examinations, and analysis of data from the flight recorder (black box).
Special attention is being paid to the aircraft’s technical condition, compliance with pre-flight protocols, and the effectiveness of oversight by responsible parties.
A parallel internal military investigation is also underway to determine all factors and conditions that may have led to the incident.
Given the strategic importance of aviation safety during wartime, the investigation is under special supervision by the SBI leadership.
As reported earlier by Ukrinform, a technical failure occurred on July 22 during a Mirage-2000 fighter jet’s combat mission.
Photo: State Bureau of Investigation
