Hundreds of aircraft and helicopters, thousands of cruise missiles and drones of the Russian Federation have been destroyed.
enemy air targets: hundreds of aircraft and helicopters, thousands of cruise missiles and drones.
This was reported by the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk.
During this time, Ukrainian pilots have carried out more than 20,000 combat sorties, most of them involving the combat use of air weapons.
“Victory on the ground is forged in the sky!” I addressed the commanders of the NATO air forces with this slogan a year ago, calling on my colleagues to create a strong air coalition. We discussed with our partners the closed skies over Ukraine and the need to strengthen Ukrainian air defense even before the full-scale invasion, because everyone understood how important it was to keep it clean. Therefore, we took many preparatory measures to withstand the blow and give a worthy rebuff to the enemy's air attack,” Oleshchuk noted.
Oleshchuk emphasizes: the battle for the sky continues. The enemy attacks with bombs and missiles around the clock, conducts aerial reconnaissance, and strikes with attack drones every night. The Air Force, side by side with the air defense of all the Defense Forces of Ukraine, repel the attacks. Whenever possible, they destroy the aggressor's air attack assets, strike the enemy from the air, and hold the defense on the ground.
“In two and a half years, the Air Force has destroyed more than 8,000 enemy air targets: hundreds of aircraft and helicopters, thousands of cruise missiles and drones. Ukrainian pilots have made more than 20,000 combat sorties, most of them for the combat use of air weapons. All this became possible thanks to the powerful support of our Western partners. I thank them for their conscious position in protecting peace and democracy, our people!” Oleshchuk emphasized.
During the large-scale invasion, 4,475 Air Force servicemen were awarded state awards for their personal courage and dedication in defending the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, 47 of them became Heroes of Ukraine, 25 posthumously.
Now I congratulate all servicemen and veterans of the Air Force on the 20th anniversary, I thank everyone who is making every effort for our victory! ”, added the Air Force Commander.