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Ukraine just dismissed the commander of its air force after losing an F-16 and a pilot in a battle against Russian missiles
By Chris Panella,
4 hours ago
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures as he speaks to media representatives while standing in front of an F16 fighter jet during Ukrainian Air Forces Day at an undisclosed location on August 4, 2024.
SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images
Ukraine has dismissed the commander of the air force, Mykola Oleschuk, after an F-16 loss.
It's still unclear what caused the crash, which killed the fighter jet's pilot.
The loss occurred during a massive Russian strike on Monday.
Ukrainian leadership has dismissed the commander of its air force, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk. The decision follows the loss of one of its F-16 fighter jets and a top pilot earlier this week.
The crash, which is being investigated, occurred during a massive Russian strike on Ukraine, during which the F-16s were employed in an air-defense role to help eliminate Russian missiles.
The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the dismissal of Oleschuk on Friday. The decree did not provide details on why Oleschuk was suddenly removed from his position. Lt. Gen. Kryvonozhok Anatoliy Mykolayovych is set to fill the position in an interim capacity.
Mykola Oleschuk
Kirill Chubotin / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Later on Friday, Zelenskyy shared a video online addressing the dismissal.
"I have decided to replace the Commander of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he said, adding that he is "immensely grateful to all our military pilots, all engineers, all warriors of mobile firing groups, air defense units . All those who really fight for Ukraine — for the result."
And the same goes for the command level — we must strengthen ourselves," Zelenskyy said. "And take care of people. Take care of personnel — take care of all our warriors."
Oleschuk's removal from his position as commander comes just one day after Ukraine acknowledged that it lost one of its Western-provided F-16s during Russia's missile and drone strike on Monday . The Ukrainian military said it lost communication with the aircraft while it was engaging the Russian threats. It was later discovered the aircraft had crashed.
A portrait Ukrainian F-16 pilot Oleksiy Mes is held during the rite of burial of the deceased tactical aviation pilot, on the Day of Remembrance for Fallen Heroes, as a farewell was held on August 29, 2024 in Shepetivka, in Khmelnytskyi Oblast (province) Ukraine
Libkos/Getty Images
"Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles," the Ukrainian Air Force wrote in a Telegram statement. "Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life."
An official speaking on the condition of anonymity told Ukrainska Pravda that the investigation into the accident was looking at a possible technical malfunction, pilot error, and also friendly fire as causes.
Prior to his dismissal, Oleschuk put a post on Telegram blasting critics and assuring everyone that "we will find out the causes of the aviation disaster."
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