Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of Ukraine’s air force, on Friday. This decision comes just days after an F-16 fighter jet, provided by Western allies, crashed during a Russian attack, resulting in the death of the pilot.
The dismissal order, which was posted on the presidential website, reflects Zelenskyy’s commitment to strengthening the country's military leadership. “We need to protect our people and ensure the safety of our soldiers,” Zelenskyy stated in a speech following the announcement. Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the acting air force commander.
Oleshchuk’s dismissal coincided with his sharp criticism of Ukrainian parliament defense committee deputy head, who suggested that a U.S.-made Patriot missile system might have accidentally downed the F-16. Oleshchuk accused the lawmaker of tarnishing the reputation of the air force and American defense manufacturers, demanding legal action against her.
In response to the dismissal, the lawmaker posted on social media, “The truth will prevail.” The Ukrainian air force has not confirmed whether the F-16 was struck by a Patriot missile, as U.S. experts have joined the investigation into the crash.
Meanwhile, a Russian assault on Kharkiv, a northeastern Ukrainian city, involved powerful glide bombs, killing six people, including a 14-year-old girl, and injuring 47 others. The bombs hit five different locations, including a residential building, which caught fire and trapped residents.
In retaliation, Ukrainian rockets targeted the Russian city of Belgorod and nearby areas late Friday, resulting in five deaths and 37 injuries, according to the regional governor. This region, which borders northern Ukraine, frequently faces drone and artillery attacks.
President Zelenskyy criticized Western restrictions on Ukrainian military targets, arguing that more decisive actions are needed to prevent such attacks. He emphasized that F-16s could help address Russian military threats if restrictions were lifted.
The F-16 crash marked the first reported loss of this type of jet in Ukraine, which recently received these aircraft from European nations. Although analysts suggest that F-16s alone won’t drastically shift the war's dynamics due to Russia's extensive air force and advanced defenses, they are seen as a crucial asset for Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War noted that any losses among Ukraine’s limited F-16s and trained pilots could significantly impact the country’s air defense capabilities.
In other news, European Union defense ministers in Brussels have decided to expand their training program for Ukrainian troops. The new target is to train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of the year, up from the previous goal of 60,000. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced the formation of a coordination cell in Kyiv to enhance the effectiveness of the training program.
Russian Bombing in Kharkiv Kills Seven; Zelenskyy Urges Long-Range Strike Permission
Russia’s Ongoing Struggle to Stop Ukraine’s Advance in the Kursk Region
