Ukraine Air Force shows the launch of Storm Shadow missiles against targets in occupied Crimea for the first time

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released a video of the launch of Storm Shadow missiles against targets in occupied Crimea for the first time.

The video was posted on August 4, Air Force Day, by Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on his official Telegram channel. He noted that the defenders of the Ukrainian sky do a lot to repel the aggressor in the air.

"Victory on the ground is forged in the sky!" With this slogan I addressed the air force commanders of NATO countries a year ago, urging my colleagues to create a strong air coalition. We talked to our partners about the closed sky over Ukraine and the need to strengthen Ukrainian air defense even before the full-scale invasion because everyone understood how important it was to keep it clear. That is why we took many preparatory measures to withstand the attack and repel the enemy's air attacks," Oleshchuk said.

He added that the battle for the sky continues as Russia attacks Ukrainians with bombs and missiles, conducts aerial reconnaissance, and strikes with UAVs around the clock.

"The Air Force, side by side with the air defense of the entire Ukrainian Defense Forces, repels the attacks. As far as possible, they destroy enemy air attack equipment, hit the enemy from the air, and keep the defense on the ground," the commander said.

In two and a half years, the Ukrainian Air Force has destroyed more than 8,000 enemy air targets: hundreds of airplanes and helicopters and thousands of cruise missiles and drones. Ukrainian pilots have conducted more than 20,000 combat missions, most of them involving the combat use of air defense systems, Oleshchuk said.

"All this was made possible thanks to the strong support of our Western partners. I am grateful to them for their conscious stance in the defense of peace and democracy, our people! By using modern Western weapons with high quality and skill, the Air Force servicemen showed great courage, heroism, professionalism and ingenuity," he said.

Oleshchuk also said that during the full-scale war with Russia,"4475 Air Force servicemen were awarded state awards for personal courage and selflessness in the defense of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, 47 of them became Heroes of Ukraine, and 25, unfortunately, posthumously..."

"Today I congratulate all servicemen and veterans of the Air Force on the 20th anniversary, I thank everyone who makes every effort for our victory! I thank our partners, volunteers, civil society, everyone who helps us become stronger in the fight for peace and freedom for our Ukraine!" Oleshchuk said in a statement.