Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the commander of Ukraine’s air drive, Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, amid debate over the destruction of one of many nation’s priceless new F-16 fighter jets.
Mr Zelensky didn’t give a motive for the dismissal, however in a submit to Telegram he mentioned that it was his duty to “deal with all our warriors”.
On Monday, one of many F-16 fighter jets delivered earlier this month from Ukraine’s Western allies went down throughout a barrage of Russian missiles, killing the pilot.
The reason for the crash was not a direct results of an enemy strike, Ukraine mentioned, and Lt Gen Oleshchuk sparred with some politicians over who was accountable for the loss.
In his submit to Telegram, Mr Zelensky mentioned he had determined to exchange Lt Gen Oleschuk, noting that “on the command stage, we should strengthen ourselves and defend our individuals”.
“I’m immensely grateful to all our navy pilots, all engineers, all cell hearth group warriors, and all air defence personnel,” Mr Zelensky mentioned.
“To everybody who is really combating for Ukraine, for outcomes. And that is simply as mandatory on the command stage, we should strengthen ourselves and defend our individuals. Shield the personnel, defend all our warriors.”
Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed interim commander of the air drive, the military’s normal workers mentioned in a press release. The officer beforehand oversaw Ukraine’s central air command, main operations within the centre of the nation.
He takes cost as officers have clashed over the lack of the F-16 jet, which has ignited fierce debate in Ukraine.
Ukrainian politician Mariana Bezuhla, who sits on a parliamentary defence committee, claimed on Thursday that the jet was downed by Ukraine’s Patriot air defence system.
Mr Oleshchuk responded earlier on Friday that an investigation was underway and nobody was hiding something. He accused Ms Bezuhla of discrediting navy management and mentioned the time would come for an apology.
After the announcement of his dismissal, Ms Bezuhla posted on social media that reality would prevail.
Round 65 F-16s have been pledged by Nato international locations since US President Joe Biden first authorised keen European allies to ship them to Ukraine in August 2023.
Mr Zelensky has dismissed a number of navy commanders because the struggle with Russia started in February 2022.
In February this yr, he sacked the commander-in-chief of the nation’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
And in June, he dismissed Lt Gen Yuriy Sodol after public criticism concerning the high normal’s extreme casualties and accusations of incompetence.
Lt Gen Oleshchuk got here as Ukraine continues its incursion into the Kursk area in Russia, which began with a surprise offensive on 6 August.
The commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, mentioned on Friday his troops had superior an extra 2 km (1.2 miles) into Kursk over the previous day.
Additionally on Friday, a Ukrainian delegation met US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington.
The pinnacle of the Ukrainian president’s workplace, Andriy Yermak, and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov spoke concerning the scenario on the battlefield, the necessity for weapons and tools, and up to date assaults on the vitality system, the workplace mentioned.
The Ukrainians mentioned the nation must strengthen its air defence with a view to defend individuals and important infrastructure.
