On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree dismissing Ukraine’s Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleshchuk. This decision came just a day after the Ukrainian military reported that an F-16 jet crashed on Monday, resulting in the death of its pilot during an operation to repel a major Russian strike.

In his evening address, Zelensky announced the dismissal, stating, “I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces. I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots.” While the President did not specify the reasons behind the dismissal, he emphasized the need to protect personnel and strengthen the command structure.

The Ukrainian General Staff has appointed General Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka to temporarily assume the role of Air Force Commander.

The Ukrainian military has not disclosed the cause of the F-16 crash but noted that the jet went down while approaching a Russian target. Oleshchuk mentioned on Monday that U.S. partners were assisting in the investigation of the incident. A U.S. defense official indicated that the crash did not appear to be caused by Russian fire, and investigations are exploring possibilities ranging from pilot error to mechanical failure. The arrival of the first F-16 jets marked a significant milestone for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, which began 2.5 years ago.