Zelensky Dismisses Air Force Chief Amid Controversy Over F-16 Crash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the commander of the country's air force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, amid growing controversy over the loss of a newly acquired F-16 fighter jet. The president did not elaborate on the reasons for the dismissal but emphasized the need to protect Ukrainian soldiers, indicating that leadership changes were necessary.

The incident involving the F-16, one of several recently delivered by Ukraine's Western allies, occurred earlier this week during a barrage of Russian missile strikes. The pilot, Colonel Oleksiy Mes, was killed when the jet crashed. Although Ukrainian officials have confirmed that the crash was not the direct result of an enemy strike, it has sparked a fierce debate within the country.

Lieutenant General Oleshchuk had been embroiled in a public dispute with some Ukrainian politicians over the incident. Notably, Mariana Bezuhla, a member of the parliamentary defense committee, suggested that the jet might have been downed by Ukraine’s own Patriot air defense system. Oleshchuk responded by stating that an investigation was underway and criticized Bezuhla for undermining military leadership.

In the wake of the controversy, Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the interim commander of Ukraine's air force. Kryvonozhko, who previously led operations in central Ukraine, now assumes command during a particularly tense period for the country’s military leadership.

This leadership change comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks across the country. In recent days, a Russian guided bomb killed a 14-year-old girl and injured 59 others in Kharkiv, a city close to the Russian border. President Zelensky has renewed calls for international partners to allow Ukraine to target sites inside Russia in response to these escalated attacks.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, President Zelensky has frequently reshuffled his military leadership. The removal of Liutenant Geneneral Oleshchuk follows the sacking of several other top commanders in recent months, highlighting the ongoing pressure on Ukraine's military as the conflict grinds on.