President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine’s Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, in keeping with a presidential decree.
The dismissal was introduced only a day after the Ukrainian navy reported that an F-16 jet crashed and its pilot died whereas repelling a serious Russian strike on Monday.
“I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces… I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots,” President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his night tackle.
He didn’t give a cause for dismissal however talked about that personnel should be protected, and that there was a have to strengthen the command degree.
Ukraine’s General Staff stated that General Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka would quickly carry out the duties of commander.
The Ukrainian navy didn’t present a cause for Monday’s crash however stated the jet got here down whereas it was approaching a Russian goal. Oleshchuk stated on Monday companions from the U.S. had been serving to to research the incident.
A U.S. protection official instructed Reuters that the crash didn’t seem like the results of Russian fireplace, and attainable causes from pilot error to mechanical failure had been nonetheless being investigated.
The arrival of the primary F-16 jets was a milestone for Ukraine within the struggle in opposition to the full-scale invasion Russia launched 2-1/2 years in the past.
Source: www.anews.com.tr