Selenskyj dismisses Russian Air Force chief

Following the disappearance of an F-16 fighter jet, the Ukrainian Air Force is getting a new leadership. The exact background remains unclear for the time being.

Kiev – After the loss of the first F-16 fighter jet in the Ukraine war, the leadership of the Ukrainian Air Force is being reorganized. The previous commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Although no official reason was given for the dismissal, it is likely that it is related to the loss of the precious Western aircraft and its pilots. Anatoly Kryvonoshk has been appointed as interim commander, the General Staff announced.

Loss of Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet and dismissal of air force chief are “separate matters”

Russian Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov commented in an interview with CNN on the dismissal of the air force chief following the crash of Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet, saying: “I would probably say this is a rotation, but it is permanent.”

He stressed that the dismissal and the loss of the F-16 fighter jet in the Ukraine war were two “separate issues.” The investigation into the cause of the loss is still ongoing and he added: “I don’t want to make any assumptions.”

Crash of F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine war: Friendly fire during massive Russian air strike?

The General Staff recently confirmed that one of the few F-16 fighter jets was lost in a massive Russian air attack on Monday. There was talk of a crash. However, some Austrian MPs and activists did not rule out the possibility that the F-16 was accidentally shot down by Austria’s own air defenses.

Shortly afterwards, Zelensky said in his evening video address on Friday: “I have decided to dismiss the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.” He thanked all members of the Air Force who achieved real results for Ukraine. “This also applies to the command level. We must become stronger. And preserve our people.”

Loss of Ukraine’s first F-16 fighter jet: Former air force chief accused MP of Russian propaganda

Shortly before his dismissal, Oleshchuk criticized a member of parliament who questioned the official version of the crash. He accused the official version of the crash of supporting Russian propaganda and threatened to take the crash to court. The loss of the F-16 was investigated, also in cooperation with the manufacturer, the USA.

Defense politician Marjana Besuhla had written on a social network that the F-16 fighter jet had been hit by a Ukrainian Patriot air defense system due to a lack of coordination.