Zelensky sacks Ukraine air force chief after F-16 crash
Mallory Moench
BBC News
Getty Images
Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk was sacked the day amid debates over the downing of an F-16 fighter jet
President Volodymyr Zelensky has sacked the commander of Ukraine's air force amid debate over the destruction of one of the country's valuable new F-16 fighter jets.
Mr Zelensky did not specify the reason for dismissing Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk, but said he had a responsibility to "take care of all our warriors".
The US-made F-16 - one of several delivered earlier this month by Ukraine's Western allies - went down on Monday, killing the pilot.
Even though it happened during a barrage of Russian missiles, Ukraine said the cause of the crash was not a direct result of an enemy strike, and Lt Gen Oleshchuk sparred with some politicians over who was to blame for the loss.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has seized a large part of territory in the east of the country.
But Ukraine also launched a surprise incursion into Russia's western Kursk region early this month - and says its troops have been advancing deeper into Russia.
In response, Russia has intensified its attacks across Ukraine.