Zelenskyy Dismisses Ukraine’s Air Force Chief After Fatal F-16 Crash Amid Escalating Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the head of Ukraine’s air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, following a recent F-16 jet crash that resulted in the death of Lt. Col. Oleksiy Mes. Zelenskyy announced the decision in an evening video address, citing the need to protect the lives of those defending the country, though he did not explicitly link the dismissal to the crash. The F-16s, which were donated by European nations, faced delays due to extensive pilot and ground crew training.

Earlier, Mariana Bezugla, a member of the parliamentary defence committee, suggested that the crash might have resulted from friendly fire. However, a U.S. official mentioned that the jet did not appear to be hit by Russian fire, pointing to mechanical failure or pilot error as potential causes.

The incident has occurred during a period of intensified conflict, with Russia making significant advances in eastern Ukraine, particularly toward the key city of Pokrovsk. As Russian forces approach Pokrovsk, local officials have ordered a mass evacuation, and the city of Selydove has reportedly fallen to Russian troops. The situation is dire, with ongoing Russian shelling in Kharkiv killing at least five people and injuring 40 others.

The Ukrainian military’s situation has been further complicated by the recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. This offensive, while intended to boost morale and potentially prompt Russia to redeploy forces, has faced criticism for potentially weakening Ukraine’s defensive posture in the east. Ukrainian top general Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that Russia had redeployed 30,000 troops to recapture territory in Kursk, while simultaneously intensifying efforts in Pokrovsk.

Amidst these developments, Ukrainian forces are grappling with troop exhaustion and delays in western aid, with some newly mobilized soldiers reportedly lacking adequate training and motivation. The overall defence effort has been strained, and some analysts and commentators have criticized the Ukrainian military leadership for not fully acknowledging the gravity of the situation. Despite these challenges, Zelenskyy has argued that the Kursk operation has slowed Russian advances, though this assessment is contested by various observers.