Zelenskyy Dismisses Ukrainian Air Force Chief After Deadly F-16 Crash

The Ukrainian Air Force saw a setback on Aug. 26 when it lost an F-16 fighter jet and Western-trained pilot.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, on Aug. 4, 2024. Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy relieved a top Ukrainian Air Force official days after a deadly crash involving one of Ukraine’s few F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.

Zelenskyy’s office published a presidential decree on Aug. 30, announcing the dismissal of Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk from his post as the commander of Ukraine’s Air Force.