The Commander of the Air Force presented awards to F-16 pilots
Lieutenant General Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, presented state awards to Ukrainian F-16 pilots on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
The Air Force noted that in 2026, Ukrainian aviation continues to demonstrate high effectiveness in the fight against Russia.
“Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Air Force’s fighter aviation has destroyed over 3,000 aerial targets: enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones,” the statement reads.
The results of the F-16 fighter jets’ operations are highlighted separately.
“F-16 fighter crews have shot down nearly 2,200 enemy targets,” the Air Force reported.
They emphasized that Ukrainian pilots are defending the skies around the clock, striking the occupiers’ positions, and providing air support to ground forces.
“Behind every number are the lives of Ukrainians saved, cities preserved, and a peaceful sky for our children,” the command noted.
The Air Force also honored the memory of the fallen pilots.
“Their names are forever inscribed in the history of Ukraine, the Air Force, and millions of Ukrainians,” the statement emphasized.
Ukraine is already producing its own long-range weapons, which are more effective than the limited number of TAURUS missiles that Germany could provide.
Experts have identified the most effective Western weapons for Ukraine in 2025.
