Ukraine's Air Force destroys over 3,500 Russian targets since beginning of full-scale war – Commander Oleschuk

He said this in a video greeting on August 6.

The Air Force destroyed 350 enemy planes and helicopters, 1,200 cruise missiles, and 24 ballistic missiles, along with more than 2,000 drones and 13 Russian Kinzhal missiles.

The lieutenant general highlighted that with the strong support from our Western partners and the exceptional bravery of our soldiers, we could maintain control over the sky.

Oleschuk mentioned that currently, the enemy has a significant advantage in the air in the occupied territories. Despite this imbalance, Ukrainian pilots conducted over 14,000 sorties, defeating the invaders both in the air and on the ground.

The commander expressed gratitude to all those who “selflessly defended the sky against the Russian invasion, including pilots flying old Soviet planes and those expected to switch to F-16s, anti-aircraft gunners using the US Patriot system or old Soviet systems, engineers, medics, signalmen, scouts, cadets, and soldiers.”

Oleschuk also revealed that over the course of one and a half years of full-scale war, more than 3,200 Air Force servicemen were honored with state awards, with 40 of them becoming Heroes of Ukraine.

"The war has revealed our true worth... Our people have shown incredible bravery, courage, humanity, and self-sacrifice. Today is Air Force Day, and we are not celebrating; we are gradually getting closer to our victory!" he declared.

• The General Staff reported that on August 5, the Ukrainian military destroyed 12 Russian Kalibr missiles and 4 Shahed attack drones launched over Ukraine's territory during the day.