Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the commander of the country’s air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, following the crash of an F-16 warplane during a Russian bombardment that killed the pilot. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to protect personnel and strengthen the army at the command level. Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the acting air force commander.
The dismissal came after Oleshchuk criticized a lawmaker for claiming that the F-16 was downed by a Patriot air-defense system, which Ukraine has received from the US. Oleshchuk accused the lawmaker of defaming the air force and discrediting US arms manufacturers.
The US has joined the investigation into the crash, with a defense official stating that it did not appear to be the result of Russian fire. Oleshchuk mentioned that a detailed analysis was underway to understand the circumstances and responsibilities behind the crash.
The F-16s, recently delivered to Ukraine, were seen as an opportunity to target Russian bases, despite the country’s massive air force and advanced air defense systems. Military analysts believe that while these jets may not drastically change the war, they provide the opportunity to counter Russia’s air superiority with modern NATO weapons.
The dismissal of Oleshchuk and the ongoing investigation into the crash highlight the complexity of the situation in Ukraine as the country continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.
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