Today is the Day of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the role of the defenders of Ukrainian skies in repelling Russian aggression

Today, on the first Sunday of August, servicemen of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine celebrate their professional holiday. The event was launched by a presidential decree in 2007, UNN reports.

After gaining independence in 1991, the Air Force of Ukraine was established on March 17, 1992, on the basis of the Soviet Air Force, in accordance with a directive from the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

At that time, Ukraine had 4 air armies, 10 aviation divisions, 49 aviation regiments, and 11 separate squadrons. In terms of numbers, Ukraine's military aviation in 1992 was second only to that of the United States, Russia and China and was the largest in Europe.

However, not all pilots swore allegiance to Ukraine. There were cases of flying combat aircraft to Russia.

On April 5, 1992, the Air Defense Forces of Ukraine were created.

Unfortunately, due to poor funding, the Ukrainian Air Force and Air Defense gradually lost their combat capability.

Due to the disarmament agreements, Ukraine had to get rid of many aircraft, including strategic aviation.

In 2004, as part of the reform, the Air Force and Air Defense were merged into one branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Colonel-General Anatoliy Toropchyn was appointed the first commander of the Air Force.

The Air Force was, in fact, the first to take the brunt of the enemy attack, as enemy aircraft tried to establish their dominance in the Ukrainian sky at any cost.

On the very first day of the invasion, our pilots "landed" two state-of-the-art Russian Su-30SMs. Our missile and anti-aircraft gunners were not far behind.

Since the beginning of the war, 363 enemy aircraft, 326 helicopters, 13057 operational and tactical UAVs, and 2410 cruise missiles have been destroyed in the skies over Ukraine.

The fighter aircraft of the Air Force are equipped with Su-27 and MiG-29, the assault aircraft - Su-25, and the bombers - Su-24 and Su-24M. Also, according to media reports, Ukraine has already begun receiving F-16 aircraft.

Thanks to the assistance of Western partners, air defense units are now equipped with NASAMS, IRIS-T, Crotale, Gepard, Patriot, and SAMP-T/MAMBA anti-aircraft missile systems.

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk is currently the commander of the Air Force.