Zelensky Dismisses Ukrainian Air Force Chief Amid F-16 Controversy
President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of Ukraine’s air force, following a heated debate over the recent loss of one of the country’s newly acquired F-16 fighter jets. The Ukrainian leader did not specify the reason for the removal but emphasized his duty to “care for all our warriors” in a message on Telegram.
The dismissal comes after an incident on Monday in which a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet, part of a recent delivery from Ukraine’s Western allies, was lost during a wave of Russian missile attacks, resulting in the death of the pilot. Ukrainian authorities stated that the crash was not a direct result of an enemy strike, leading to disagreements over who was responsible for the jet’s destruction. Lt Gen Oleshchuk had been publicly at odds with some Ukrainian politicians regarding the incident.
In his announcement on Telegram, President Zelensky expressed the need for stronger leadership at the command level to better protect Ukrainian forces. He praised the efforts of military pilots, engineers, air defense personnel, and all those actively engaged in the defense of Ukraine, stressing that leadership must reflect the same commitment to safeguarding the country and its warriors.
The Ukrainian air force later identified the deceased pilot as Colonel Oleksiy Mes, who went by the call sign “Moonfish.” Mes was celebrated for his heroic efforts during his final mission, during which he reportedly downed three cruise missiles and a drone on August 26. He was one of Ukraine’s most skilled pilots, having received specialized training for F-16 operations abroad.
In response to the controversy, Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the interim commander of Ukraine’s air force. Kryvonozhko previously led the central air command, overseeing operations in the central region of the country. His appointment comes as Ukrainian officials continue to clash over the circumstances surrounding the F-16’s loss, which has sparked intense debate nationwide.
Ukrainian parliamentarian Mariana Bezuhla, a member of the defense committee, claimed that the jet may have been accidentally shot down by Ukraine’s own Patriot air defense system. Oleshchuk had countered that an investigation was ongoing and criticized Bezuhla for undermining military leadership, suggesting that accountability and transparency would eventually be addressed.
In the wake of his dismissal, Bezuhla commented on social media, asserting that the truth would eventually come to light.
Since August 2023, when President Joe Biden authorized European allies to supply Ukraine with F-16s, around 65 of these jets have been pledged by NATO countries. This incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile changes within Ukraine’s military leadership since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Earlier this year, Zelensky removed the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and later dismissed Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol amid concerns over high casualty rates and alleged incompetence.
The decision to replace Oleshchuk comes as Ukraine continues its offensive into Russia’s western Kursk region, which began with a surprise assault on August 6. Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced an additional two kilometers into Kursk over the past day, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian delegation met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington to discuss battlefield developments, the urgent need for more weapons and equipment, and the ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials stressed the necessity of bolstering the country’s air defense systems to protect both civilians and critical infrastructure.
