Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk. No reason was given for the dismissal. It came just days after Ukraine lost its first F-16.
The President of Ukraine issued a statement in which he announced, among other things, that he had decided to change the commander of the air forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“I am extremely grateful to all our military pilots, engineers, soldiers of mobile fire groups and air defense units. To all those who are really fighting for Ukraine – for the result. 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 said.
Temporarily, the duties of the Ukrainian Air Commander will be performed by General Anatoly Krywonozhko, head of the Ukrainian Air Force “Center” command.
Although the Ukrainians lost their first F-16 on Monday, they only informed the public on Thursday.
Ukraine’s General Staff said one of two F-16s operating in tandem crashed after losing contact with the other aircraft, killing its pilot. Both planes were involved in repelling Monday’s Russian missile strike.
Ołeszczuk assured that the causes of the disaster will be investigated in detail and will not be hidden from the public.
“The entire top management (of the state) immediately received a report on the disaster. We also received a preliminary report from our American partners who have already joined the investigation,” he wrote on social media.
Media previously reported, citing US officials, that the accident was probably the pilot’s fault and not enemy fire.
The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine on July 31. The Kiev authorities did not disclose how many machines they received in the first batch; according to media reports, there were six. A coalition comprising Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium has pledged to donate approximately 60 aircraft.
Oleschuk was appointed Air Force Commander on August 9, 2021, replacing Serhiy Drozdov. On the same day, he was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Snake Island.
