Decision Follows Recent F-16 Crash, Killing the Pilot

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently fired the nations’ commander of the Air Force. This was announced four days after one of their newly acquired F-16’s crashed during a Russian attack, killing the pilot.

The fighter crash occurred on August 26. At the time, Ukraine was under heavy fire from Russian missiles and drones. The direct cause remains under investigation, but Ukrainian parliament member Marina Bezuhla suggested that the accident may have been a result of friendly fire from a Patriot air-defense system. She cited anonymous sources, demanding revenge on those responsible. This has not been denied by the air force.

Following the accusation, then Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk accused Bezuhla of defamation. He also suggested that she should be facing legal consequences.

An order to dismiss Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk was published on August 30. Just minutes later, Bezhula posted on social media that “truth will prevail.”

“We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers,” commented Zelenskyy in a recent address. “At the command level, we must strengthen ourselves.”

Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed interim commander of Ukraine's air force in the meantime. He previously oversaw the nation’s central air command.

This is the third time this year that Zelenskyy has dismissed prominent military leadership. In February, he fired commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. This was suspectedly due to arguments over the country’s military needs. Three months later, he sacked commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lt Gen Yuriy Sodol, after the public accused him of allowing excessive casualties.

The formal reason for Oleshchuk’s dismissal has not been published. Officials have stated that Ukraine is working to strengthen their air defense, and new leadership could just be a step on their path.

FMI: www.president.gov.ua