Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has dismissed any connection between the recent dismissal of the Ukrainian Air Force commander and the fatal crash of a U.S.-made F-16 fighter jet just days earlier, which claimed the life of one of Ukraine’s top pilots.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Umerov clarified that the removal of Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk was part of a broader cycle within the military leadership.
“I would probably say this is a rotation,” Umerov stated. “These are two separate issues […] at this stage, I would not connect them.”
The crash of the F-16, recently delivered by Western allies, occurred on August 29, 2024, as Ukraine repelled a Russian missile attack. This marked the first time the use of the Western fighter in combat operations had been officially acknowledged.
The incident resulted in the death of 30-year-old pilot Oleksii Mes. The Ukrainian General Staff reported the crash on Telegram, noting that communication with Mes’s plane was lost while approaching a target. The aircraft was later confirmed to have crashed.
Mes transitioned from flying Soviet-designed MiG-29s to US aircraft. In 2019, the USAF’s 144th Fighter Wing trained Mes, with the unit later sharing images of him aboard an F-15D Eagle on Facebook.
Describing the loss of Mes as “unfortunate,” Umerov emphasized that Ukraine is thoroughly investigating the incident, with cooperation from its international partners.
“We’re analyzing what has happened,” the minister said. “We’ve also opened this file to our partners so they are also analyzing this and investigating along with us.”
Despite the timing of the incident and Oleshchuk’s dismissal, President Volodymyr Zelensky did not explicitly connect the two events. In a statement issued via Telegram, Zelensky announced the change in command, expressing gratitude to the outgoing commander while underscoring the need to enhance military leadership.
“I have decided to replace the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote. “I am infinitely grateful to all our pilots, technicians, soldiers of mobile firing groups, air defense crews. To all those who are really fighting for Ukraine, for the result. And we must also strengthen the level of command […] and protect the personnel, protect all our troops.”
General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko has been appointed as the new Air Force commander, succeeding Oleshchuk.