Ukraine's air force commander dismissed after F-16 crash

LYIV - President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Aug 30, according to a presidential decree.

The dismissal was announced just a day after the Ukrainian military reported that

an F-16 jet crashed and its pilot died

while repelling a major Russian strike on Aug 26.

"I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Forces... I am eternally grateful to all our military pilots," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, in his evening address.

He did not give a reason for dismissal but mentioned that personnel must be protected, and that there was a need to strengthen the command level.

Ukraine's General Staff said that General-Lieutenant Anatoliy Kryvonozhka would temporarily perform the duties of commander.

The Ukrainian military did not provide a reason for the Aug 26 crash but said the jet came down while it was approaching a Russian target.

Commander Oleshchuk said on Aug 30 that partners from the US were helping to investigate the incident.

A US defence official told Reuters that the crash did not appear to be the result of Russian fire, and possible causes from pilot error to mechanical failure were still being investigated.

The arrival of the first F-16 jets was a milestone for Ukraine in the fight against the full-scale invasion Russia launched two and a half years ago.

Separately, Forbes Ukraine reported on Aug 30 that the head of Ukraine’s power grid operator Ukrenergo, Vadym Kudrytskyi, is to be dismissed. It cited four sources familiar with the matter.

One source said that Mr Kudrytskyi refused to submit his resignation after the decision was made during a meeting with President Zelensky and top officials.

Ukrenergo did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

The state-run operator faces the task of keeping Ukraine’s electricity grid safe and stable in the face of multiple strikes by Moscow targeting Ukraine’s energy sector.

In the latest attack,

Russia fired more than 200 missiles and drones

on Aug 26, mostly targeting energy facilities, Kyiv officials said.

Ukrenergo is tasked with protecting power facilities and making sure damaged energy infrastructure is restored. REUTERS