Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, a move that follows the tragic crash of an F-16 jet earlier in the week. The crash, which occurred on Monday during efforts to repel a significant Russian missile attack, claimed the life of a Ukrainian pilot.
In his evening address, Zelenskiy expressed deep gratitude for the nation’s military pilots but did not provide a specific reason for the dismissal. He emphasized the importance of protecting personnel and the necessity to strengthen command structures within the military.
In the interim, General Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka has been appointed to temporarily perform the duties of Air Force commander. The Ukrainian military has not yet disclosed the cause of Monday’s crash, but Oleshchuk had mentioned that U.S. partners were aiding in the investigation. A U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash was not believed to be caused by Russian fire, with factors such as pilot error or mechanical failure still being considered.
The loss of the F-16 comes as a significant setback for Ukraine, which only recently received these jets in the ongoing fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion.