Air defense forces have destroyed more than 445,000 Russian air targets since the start of the full-scale war
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian air defense forces have destroyed more than 445,000 aerial targets, while the Ukrainian Air Force has eliminated more than 12,000 enemy air attack assets. This was reported on August 2 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, citing Acting Minister of Defense Yevhen Khmara.
Congratulating Air Force personnel on their professional holiday, Khmara emphasized that since the start of the full-scale war, Russia has sought to gain air superiority over Ukraine, but this has been thwarted by the Air Force and air defense forces.
According to him, since February 24, 2022, Ukrainian air defense has destroyed more than 445,000 aerial targets, including “Kinzhal” missiles, “Kalibr,” X-101 missiles, “Iskander-M” ballistic missiles, tens of thousands of Shahed drones, reconnaissance drones, “Lancets,” and other air attack weapons.
In addition, over the course of four years of full-scale war, the Air Force has flown over 38,000 sorties and destroyed more than 12,000 enemy aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and drones.
“These aren’t just numbers. These are cities that have been protected. Lives that have been saved. Threats that have been eliminated. And this is the strength of the people who defend Ukraine’s skies: pilots, engineers, technicians, and signal corps personnel. All our crews and teams. Every day, you repel attacks and master the most advanced technology—from Raven to Patriot, from MiG-29 to F-16. Defending the skies, unfortunately, comes at a cost. We remember each and every one who gave their life for Ukraine’s skies,” Khmara noted.
Khmara thanked the Air Force personnel for their service. He assured them that the Ministry of Defense would continue working to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense with modern weapons and technologies.
Khmara wrote about this on Facebook on August 2.
As a reminder, on Sunday, August 2, Ukraine celebrates Ukrainian Air Force Day. The holiday falls on the first Sunday of August each year and honors service members and veterans who serve or have served in the Air Force.
On the night of August 1, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 133 strike and decoy drones of various types. Air defense forces neutralized 109 enemy drones, but strikes were recorded at 19 locations.
