President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug. 30.
The decision was announced on the Presidential Office’s official website.
Oleshchuk has served in the position since Aug. 9, 2021.
In his evening address, Zelensky thanked Ukrainian pilots, engineers, and soldiers of mobile firing groups and air defense units.
"(I thank) everyone who is really fighting for Ukraine — for the result. And it is also necessary at the command level. We must strengthen ourselves. And we must take care of people. Take care of the personnel. Take care of all our soldiers," the president said without elaborating on the reason for the dismissal.
Oleshchuk's removal came a day after the Ukrainian military confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet, recently delivered to the country and flown by Ukraine's top pilot, Oleksii Mes, call sign "Moonfish," had crashed while defending against a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Aug. 26. Mes was killed in the crash.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry has established a special commission to investigate the cause of the crash. Oleshchuk mentioned that Ukraine had received a preliminary report from the U.S., which is now part of the investigation.
An unnamed U.S. defense official told Reuters that the crash "did not appear to be the result of Russian fire" and said that other causes, including "pilot error" and "mechanical failure," were being investigated.
Oleshchuk pledged to get to the bottom of the crash, and said that "no one has hidden anything (or is) hiding anything (now)."
Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, commander of the "Center" Air Command, was appointed as Ukraine's acting Air Force commander.
Francis Farrell
(Updated: )
