World Courant
President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the commander of Ukraine’s air drive, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, amid debate over the destruction of one of many nation’s useful new F-16 fighter jets.
Mr Zelensky didn’t give a cause for the resignation, however in a message to Telegram he stated it was his duty to “care for all our fighters”.
On Monday, one of many US F-16 fighter jets provided by Ukraine’s Western allies earlier this month crashed throughout a barrage of Russian missiles, killing the pilot.
In line with Ukraine, the crash was not a direct results of an enemy assault. Lieutenant Normal Oleshchuk had a row with some politicians over who was guilty for the loss.
In his message to Telegram, Mr. Zelensky wrote that he had determined to exchange Lt. Gen. Oleschuk, noting that “on the command stage we have to strengthen ourselves and shield our individuals.”
“I’m extraordinarily grateful to all our navy pilots, all engineers, all cell fireplace group fighters and all air protection personnel,” Mr Zelensky stated.
“To all who’re actually combating for Ukraine, for outcomes. And that is simply as vital on the command stage, we have to strengthen ourselves and shield our individuals. Shield the personnel, shield all our fighters.”
The Ukrainian Air Power had beforehand introduced the title of the deceased pilot: Colonel Oleksiy Mes.
“He fought his final battle within the air heroically,” the report stated, including that on August 26 he shot down three cruise missiles and a drone.
Mes, whose name signal was Moonfish, was certainly one of Ukraine’s most skilled pilots, having skilled overseas for F-16 missions.
Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed interim commander of the Ukrainian Air Power, the military’s Normal Employees stated in an announcement. The officer beforehand oversaw the Central Air Command and led operations within the nation’s heart.
He takes cost as authorities conflict over the lack of the F-16 fighter jet, sparking heated debates in Ukraine.
Ukrainian politician Mariana Bezuhla, a member of the parliamentary committee on protection, claimed on Thursday that the aircraft was shot down by Ukraine’s Patriot air protection system.
Mr. Oleshchuk responded earlier on Friday that an investigation was underway and that nobody was hiding something. He accused Ms. Bezuhla of discrediting the navy management and stated the time would come for an apology.
After his resignation was introduced, Ms Bezuhla posted on social media that the reality would prevail.
Since US President Joe Biden approved keen European allies to ship F-16s to Ukraine in August 2023, NATO nations have pledged about 65 F-16s.
Since Russia launched a large-scale invasion in February 2022, Zelensky has dismissed a number of navy commanders.
In February of this yr he the commander in chief dismissed of the nation’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
And in June, he dismissed Lieutenant Normal Yuriy Sodol after public criticism of the highest normal’s extreme losses and accusations of incompetence.
Lieutenant Normal Oleshchuk got here as Ukraine continued its invasion of Russia’s western Kursk area, which started with a shock offensive on August 6.
The commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, Normal Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated on Friday that his forces had superior one other 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into Kursk over the previous day.
Additionally on Friday, a Ukrainian delegation met US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington.
The pinnacle of the Ukrainian president’s workplace, Andriy Yermak, and Protection Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned the state of affairs on the battlefield, the necessity for weapons and tools, and up to date assaults on the vitality system, the workplace stated.
The Ukrainians stated the nation must strengthen its air defenses to guard individuals and important infrastructure.
President Zelensky fires Ukrainian Air Power commander Mykola Oleshchuk
World Information,Subsequent Large Factor in Public Knowledg