Ukrainian president fires air force commander after fatal F-16 crash
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired the commander of the country’s air force after one of its Western-donated F-16 warplane crashed and the pilot died
By ILLIA NOVIKOV and HANNA ARHIROVA
Published - Aug 30, 2024, 05:58 PM ET
Last Updated - Aug 30, 2024, 05:58 PM EDT
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the commander of the country’s air force Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed during a Russian bombardment and killed the pilot.
The order to dismiss Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk was published on the presidential website.
“We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers,” Zelenskyy said in an address minutes after the order was published. He said Ukraine needs to strengthen its army on the command level.
Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed acting air force commander, the army's general staff said.
