A Ukrainian servicewoman shoots down a cruise missile from a portable air defense missile system: it was her first live launch. Photos and video

On the morning of November 17, Nataliia Hrabarchuk, a soldier of the Galicia-Volyn radio engineering brigade of the "Zakhid" Air Command, destroyed a Russian cruise missile from the "Igla" portable air defense missile system. This was her first combat launch and first hit.

Video with the moment of the shot and words of admiration behind the scenes: "Natasha got it!" went viral. The Air Force of Ukraine told more about its heroine.

They noted that Nataliia took a five-month training course at the training center and mastered various types of man-portable air defense systems.

"When the enemy missile was in front of me, I threw away all emotions and excitement. I made hundreds of training launches on simulators. And then – the first combat launch and on target!" the woman admitted.

The servicewoman emphasized that the man-portable air defense system weighs about 18 kilograms, and that "responsibility also weighs on you at the moment of firing." Therefore, she is very happy that she managed to hit the enemy target.

"After the combat work, I let my emotions run wild a bit. Our mobile firing group includes female soldiers. We make every effort to achieve results and give our best," the defender said.

In civilian life, Nataliia Hrabarchuk was a preschool teacher. Since 2021, she has been an anti-aircraft gunner of the anti-aircraft missile unit of the Galicia-Volyn Radio Technical Brigade of the "Zakhid" Air Command.

"Be like Nataliia!" the Air Force Command emphasized.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on November 17, Russia launched the most massive combined attack on Ukraine in the entire full-scale war, using 210 air attack aircraft. The defenders of the sky shot down 102 Russian missiles of various types and 42 drones, and almost as many drones were lost locally.

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