Ukrainian Air Force Commander Fired After Fatal F-16 Crash

KIEV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the commander of Ukraine's air force on Friday, four days after an F-16 fighter jet that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed in a Russian bombing raid, killing the pilot.

The order to dismiss Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk was published on the President's website.

“We must protect the people. Protect the personnel. Take care of all our soldiers,” Zelensky said in a speech a few minutes after the order was published. He said Ukraine must strengthen its army at the command level.

Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko has been appointed deputy commander of the Air Force, the Army General Staff said.

The dismissal came on the same day that Oleshchuk sharply criticized a lawmaker who is deputy chair of the Ukrainian parliament's defense committee for claiming that the F-16 was shot down by a Patriot air defense system. Ukraine has received an unspecified number of the US systems.

Mariana Bezuhla cited anonymous sources and called for punishment for those responsible for the mistake.

Oleshchuk accused Bezuhla of defaming the Air Force and discrediting U.S. defense manufacturers, and expressed hope that her allegations would result in legal action.

“The truth will prevail,” Bezuhla posted on X shortly after the dismissal notice was published.

The Air Force did not directly deny that the F-16 was hit by a Patriot missile.

US experts have joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash, the Air Force said.

Meanwhile, a Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv using powerful glide bombs fired from aircraft killed six people, including a 14-year-old girl at a playground, and wounded 47 others, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

The bombs hit five locations in the city, which had a population of 1.4 million before the war, the governor said.

One of the bombs hit a 12-story apartment block, setting the building on fire and trapping at least one person on an upper floor. Rescue workers searching for survivors feared the building might collapse. / AP