Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, just days after an F-16 warplane, recently acquired from Western allies, crashed during a Russian bombardment, killing the pilot. The decision was announced on the presidential website on Friday.
In an address following the announcement, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to protect Ukrainian forces and strengthen military leadership. “We need to protect people, protect personnel, and take care of all our soldiers,” he said.
Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the acting air force commander, according to the army’s general staff.
The dismissal comes amid tensions surrounding the crash. Earlier, Oleshchuk had publicly criticized Mariana Bezuhla, a lawmaker and deputy head of the Ukrainian parliament’s defense committee, for her claim that the F-16 was downed by a US-made Patriot air-defense system. Bezuhla, citing unnamed sources, demanded accountability for what she alleged was a friendly fire incident. Oleshchuk accused her of defaming the air force and discrediting US arms manufacturers, expressing hope that she would face legal repercussions.
Bezuhla responded shortly after the dismissal order was made public, posting on X, “The truth will win.” The air force has not directly denied the possibility that the F-16 was hit by a Patriot missile.
The crash, the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine, has prompted an investigation involving US experts. A US defense official told Reuters that the incident did not appear to result from Russian fire, with causes ranging from pilot error to mechanical failure still under review.
The F-16s, delivered at the end of last month, are seen as a key asset for Ukraine in countering Russia’s air superiority. However, military analysts caution that the planes alone are unlikely to shift the balance of power, given Russia’s substantial air force and advanced air defense systems. Despite this, Ukrainian officials have welcomed the jets for their potential to strike Russian targets behind the front lines.
Oleshchuk had addressed the crash on Telegram shortly before his dismissal, stating that a “detailed analysis” was underway to determine the cause and responsibility for the incident.
