Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on August 30 dismissed the commander of the country's air force shortly after the crash of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet that had been recently deployed in the country's fight against Russia's full-scale invasion.
The crash occurred on August 26 and killed pilot Oleksiy Mes, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
"I have decided to replace the commander of the air forces of the armed forces of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said in a video message, expressing gratitude to all military pilots, engineers, "warriors," and air-defense units.
Zelenskiy published a decree to remove Mykola Oleshchuk from his post earlier on August 30, saying the decision was in line with the goal of strengthening Ukraine's military leadership.
He reiterated the message in his video, saying, "We must strengthen ourselves. And take care of people. Take care of personnel -- take care of all our warriors."
Oleshchuk was appointed commander of the air force on August 9, 2021, replacing Serhiy Drozdov.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Mes died while repelling a massive Russian strike. During the air battle, three cruise missiles and one drone were destroyed, the air force said.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that an F-16 was destroyed in a crash on August 26. An unidentified U.S. official quoted by the newspaper on August 29 said that initial reports indicated that the jet wasn’t shot down by enemy fire and that it likely crashed as a result of pilot error.
The Ukrainian military said an investigation into the crash had already been launched and that international experts would be invited to participate.
Oleshchuk said earlier on August 30 that a “detailed analysis" was being conducted into why the F-16 went down.
“We must carefully understand what happened, what the circumstances are, and whose responsibility it is,” Oleshchuk said on Telegram.
Ukraine received the warplanes at the end of last month and at a ceremony on August 4 marking Air Force of Armed Forces Day, Zelenskiy said the air force had begun to use them.
