Ukrainian President Volodymyr fired the country’s air force commander Friday, four days after one of Ukraine’s top pilots died when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a Russian bombardment.
Zelensky addressed the firing of Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk in a video speech published on his presidential website, saying the country needs to “strengthen ourselves,” their army and “take care of all our warriors.”
“We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take care of all our soldiers,” Zelensky said in his remarks.
Ukrainian pilot, Oleksiy Mes, known as “Moonfish,” was killed in the attack, CNN reported.
Mes, one of the few Ukrainian pilots trained to fly F-16s, crashed only a few weeks after the country received a delivery of the fighter jets from NATO.
Since Mes’ death, reports have emerged that his crash may have been caused by friendly fire, The New York Times reported.
A Western official said there were “indications” that friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery may have led to the wreck, but mechanical failure and pilot error have not been ruled out, the Times reported.
The US-made warplanes are intended to give Ukraine a much-needed boost as it struggles to end Russia’s air dominance.
US experts have joined the Ukrainian investigation into the crash, the air force said.
Zelensky also addressed the Russian attack on Kharkiv, which was hit by plane-launched glide bombs that killed five people, including a 14-year-old girl, on a playground, and wounded 47 others, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Zelensky identified the girl as Sofia in his address.
“Unfortunately, there are dead people,” Zeleneksy said. “Among them is a child. A girl, Sofia. She would have turned 15 this fall. My condolences to all the families and friends.”
The bombs struck five locations across the city, Syniehubov said. One of the bombs hit a 12-story apartment block, which set the building ablaze and trapped at least one person on an upper floor. Emergency crews searching for survivors feared the building could collapse.
Zelensky did not mince words over the attack, and again spoke of the importance of receiving aid.
“They have the same terror tactics everywhere, and we must put a stop to this,” Zelensky said. “It can be ensured by our, Ukrainian, long-range capabilities, with appropriate support for our Defense Forces and air defense systems for Ukraine. All the things we are talking about with our partners.”
With Post wires
