The dismissals were announced just a day after the Ukrainian military reported that a modern F-16 fighter jet provided by the West to Ukraine crashed and killed its pilot while defending against a major Russian air strike on Monday.
"I have decided to replace the Air Force Commander... I am extremely grateful to all our military pilots," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in his regular evening video address.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands next to an F-16. Photo: Reuters
Mr Zelenskyy did not give a reason for the dismissal but said that personnel needed to be protected and that the command structure needed to be strengthened. The Ukrainian General Staff said Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhka would temporarily take over command of the Ukrainian air force.
The Ukrainian military did not give a reason for Monday’s crash but said the fighter jet, which Kiev had worked hard to win Western aid for, crashed as it approached a Russian target. Oleshchuk said Monday that U.S. counterparts were helping investigate the incident.
A US defense official said the crash did not appear to be caused by Russian fire, and the cause could have been pilot error or a mechanical failure still under investigation.
The arrival of the first F-16 fighter jets was a milestone for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, as Kiev believed it could balance Moscow's air power if it had these modern US-made fighters.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tu-lenh-khong-quan-ukraine-bi-cach-chuc-sau-vu-tiem-kich-f-16-roi-post310085.html
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