Russia F-16 lost: Zelensky dismissed head of the air force
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has dismissed air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Officially, no reason was given, but a connection with the loss of a western F-16 fighter jet and its pilot seems likely. The presidential office in Kiev published a corresponding decree by Zelenskyi.
30.08.2024, 20:29
SDA
It was only on Thursday that the General Staff confirmed that one of the few F-16 aircraft had been lost in action against a massive Russian air attack on Monday. There was talk of a crash. However, Ukrainian MPs and activists did not rule out an accidental downing by their own air defense.
"I have decided to dismiss the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force," said Zelensky in his evening video address. He thanked all members of the air force who really achieved results for Ukraine. "This also applies to the command level. We must become stronger. And preserve our people."
On Friday, Oleshchuk criticized a member of parliament on Telegram who cast doubt on the official version of the crash. She was promoting Russian propaganda, he wrote, and threatened to take her to court. The loss of the plane would be investigated, also in cooperation with the manufacturer, the USA. The lieutenant general had led the Ukrainian air force since 2021. No details have yet been released about his successor.
