President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk from his position as commander of Ukraine’s air force amid controversy surrounding the loss of an F-16 fighter jet. Zelensky did not disclose specific reasons for the dismissal but emphasized his duty to “take care of all our warriors” in a statement on Telegram.
The incident that prompted this decision involved one of the recently delivered F-16 fighter jets, which crashed during a Russian missile offensive, resulting in the death of the pilot. While Ukrainian officials clarified that the crash was not due to enemy fire, it has led to disagreements among politicians regarding accountability for the loss.
In his announcement, Zelensky stated, “At the command level, we must strengthen ourselves and protect our people.” He expressed gratitude towards military pilots, engineers, and air defense personnel, highlighting the need for robust leadership to safeguard the nation’s defenders.
Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the interim commander of the air force. Previously, he led Ukraine’s central air command and will now oversee operations amidst ongoing discussions about the F-16 jet’s loss, which has sparked significant debate within Ukraine.
Amid these tensions, Ukrainian politician Mariana Bezuhla asserted that the jet was accidentally downed by Ukraine’s own Patriot air defense system. Lt Gen Oleshchuk countered that an investigation was in progress and indicated that Bezuhla’s comments undermined military leadership.
Following his dismissal, Bezuhla’s social media posts suggested that the truth would eventually surface. Since August 2023, NATO countries have pledged around 65 F-16 jets to Ukraine, following a decision by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Zelensky’s administration has seen several military leadership changes since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, including the dismissal of key commanders over issues of accountability and strategic effectiveness.
As Ukraine intensifies its offensive into the Kursk region of Russia, reports noted that troops had made recent territorial gains. Concurrently, a Ukrainian delegation met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss battlefield conditions, the need for increased military support, and attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, underscoring the critical need for enhanced air defense capabilities in protecting both civilians and essential services.
