Zelensky Dismisses Air Force Chief After F-16 Crash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Air Force Chief Mykola Oleshchuk following the fatal crash of a Western-supplied F-16 jet on August 26, which killed Lt. Col. Oleksiy Mes, known as 'Moonfish'. This marked the first reported loss of an F-16 in Ukraine, where only six pilots were trained to fly the jets. Preliminary investigations suggest that the crash may have been due to friendly fire from a Patriot missile system, a claim supported by Ukrainian lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla. Oleshchuk, however, accused Bezuhla of discrediting Ukraine's military leadership. Lt. Gen. Anatoly Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the acting Air Force Commander. The crash occurred during a massive Russian missile and drone attack, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict and the significant challenges faced by Ukraine's defense forces.