Zelensky replaces Air Force chief following crash of F‑16 fighter

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Mykola Oleschuk as commander of the Ukrainian air force. "I decided to replace the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

"I decided to replace the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am immensely grateful to all our military pilots, engineers, soldiers of mobile shooting groups, and air defence units. All those who truly fight for Ukraine – for the outcome. And we must do the same at the command level – we must become stronger. And we must take care of people. Take care of personnel. Take care of all our soldiers," Zelensky wrote in a statement on Telegram.

"The relevant decree No. 600/2024 has been published on the head of state's website," confirmed the Ukrinform agency. The document did not disclose the reasons for the dismissal.

Thursday's reports likely contributed to the Ukrainian president's decision. The General Staff of Ukraine informed about the loss of the first F-16 fighter jet provided to Ukraine by the West. One of the two F-16s operating as a pair crashed after losing contact with the second aircraft, and its pilot was lost. Both aircraft were participating in repelling Monday's missile attack by Russia.

Oleschuk assured that the causes of the crash will be thoroughly investigated and will not be hidden from the public.

"All of the top leadership (of the state) immediately received a report about the crash. We also received a preliminary report from our American partners, who have already joined the investigation," wrote the former Air Force commander on social media.

Oleschuk was appointed Air Force commander on 9 August 2021, replacing Serhiy Drozdov. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced him during a visit to Snake Island.

Source: Ukrinform, Telegram