Ukraine’s Air Force Commander Dismissed after F-16 Crash
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Ukraine’s Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, according to a presidential decree. This move came just a day after an F-16 jet crashed during a major Russian assault on Monday, resulting in the pilot’s death.
In his evening address, President Zelenskiy announced the dismissal of Ukraine’s Air Force Commander but did not provide a detailed reason for the decision. He emphasized the need to protect military personnel and to strengthen the command structure. General Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka will temporarily assume the duties of the dismissed Air Force Commander.
The Ukrainian military has not specified the cause of the F-16 crash, but they reported that the jet went down while approaching a Russian target. Oleshchuk stated that U.S. partners are assisting in investigating the crash.
A U.S. defense official told Reuters that it does not appear the crash was due to Russian fire. The investigation is still ongoing to determine possible causes, including pilot error or mechanical failure.
The arrival of the first F-16 jets marked a significant milestone for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began 2½ years ago.
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