The Ukrainian pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter jet was shot down on Monday by Ukraine's own anti-aircraft missile system, a Kyiv official has claimed.
Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes was killed while defending Ukraine's skies from Russia's huge aerial attack at the start of the week.
Taking to X, Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla wrote that the jet had been shot down by a US-supplied Patriot missile.
"War is war, such episodes are possible," she said, complaining that there was a "lack of coordination between the units".
Posting on Telegram, Mykola Oleschuk said an investigation is underway into the death of Lt Col Mes and the US is also looking into the situation.
A funeral for Lt Col Mes was held yesterday, with fighter jets conducting a fly-by.
