Air Force Commander dismissed following F-16 crash in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk following the crash of a newly delivered F-16 jet and the death of its pilot. In a statement, Zelenskyy said, “I have decided to replace the air force commander... I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots.”

ACCIDENT AND INVESTIGATION PROCESS

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on Thursday that the F-16 jet crashed during a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense also announced that an investigation into the accident has been launched. The pilot who lost his life in the crash was identified as Oleksiy "Moonfish" Mes. American defense officials stated that the crash was not the result of Russian fire and that causes such as pilot error or mechanical failure are being investigated.

The delivery of F-16 jets provided to Ukraine by several European countries had been delayed due to the long training programs required for pilots and ground personnel to operate these aircraft. Mariana Bezugla, a member of the parliamentary defense committee, claimed that the plane might have been shot down by friendly fire.

ZELENSKYY AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP UNDER FIRE

The F-16 crash has led to public criticism of the Ukrainian military leadership and Zelenskyy. The incident occurred at a time when the Russian advance toward the key city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine is gaining momentum. Russian forces have been trying to capture the strategically important city of Pokrovsk for months, but have gained significant momentum in recent weeks. According to Deep State, Russian troops are just 10 kilometers away from the outskirts of Pokrovsk.

News Source: 12punto

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