Ukraine can fight and live, because there are warriors who purify our sky from Russian evil - the president on the occasion of the Air Force Day of the Armed Forces

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky took part in events on the occasion of the Air Force Day and presented high state awards, honorary honors and combat flags to military units. “Today we celebrate an important day for our native Ukraine - a professional day of power, whose most important task is to protect people's lives.

And the warriors of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with honor perform this important task, achieve our country's powerful results and gain true glory for everyone and each of us, for the whole of Ukraine, ”said Vladimir Zelensky, addressing the military personnel of the Armed Forces. According to the President, during the full -scale war, Ukrainian pilots made more than 14,000 combat departments, over 3.

5 thousand aircraft, helicopters and missiles of the invaders and more than 2,000 enemy shock drones were shot down. "I thank all of you, Ukrainian soldiers, for every whipped Russian rocket and every destroyed drone of the enemy," the head of state said.

Separately, the President noted the important success of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces in the destruction of Russian hypersonic missiles "dagger", which the Russian Federation has long tried to intimidate not only Ukraine but also Europe and the whole world. “This cult is destroyed forever.

Our warriors proved with all obviousness that if the defenders of life have a Cossack character, have our domestic air defense systems, there are our partners' air defense systems, then terrorists have no chance. No "daggers" will help Moscow, "Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized. The Head of State said Ukraine is working daily to create a reliable air shield for our country, which can become the basis of the air shield for the whole of Europe.

“And only the question of the time when the Ukrainian sky will be F-16, which will give even more power of our protection. Ukrainian Air Force has already become the most powerful than years of existence, and they will become even more powerful, ”he added. At the same time, as the President emphasized, any technique is worth something in the hands of brave, worthy and professional soldiers, which are the Air Force.

According to Vladimir Zelensky, since the beginning of Russian aggression, 42 defenders of the Ukrainian sky were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, 26 of them - posthumously. The state awards were awarded 3198 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces, of which 280 were posthumously. The attendees paid a moment of silence to the memory of the Air Force servicemen who gave their lives for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude to all in the world who helps protect the Ukrainian sky and the lives of people. “When we congratulate the Air Force on a professional day, we thank for thousands of saved lives in cities, villages, in all corners of independent Ukraine. Ukraine can fight and live, because there are our warriors who purify our sky from Russian evil.

And there will be a time when there is no place in the Ukrainian sky in any Russian fighter, no Russian rocket and no drone of the invaders, ”the head of state is convinced. The President presented state awards to the Air Force soldiers. In particular, he handed over the Order of the Golden Star to his native colonel Mikhail Matyushenko and Major Yuri Krasilnikov. The pilots were awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously.

On June 26, 2022, their crew, as the most experienced conditions and shelling, fulfilled the dangerous task for the destruction of the hostile anti-aircraft missile system "Armory" on the island of Snake. The military coped with the task, but their plane was struck by the enemy air defense means and fell in the Black Sea near Snake.

The Head of State also presented the "Golden Star" of the Hero of Ukraine to the Chief of Staff-Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant General Vyacheslav Shamk. From the beginning of armed aggression of the Russian Federation, he has participated directly in the organization of air defense, in particular cities of Kiev, Odessa, Lviv, Dnipro, etc.

Vyacheslav Shamko constantly organizes and guides the use of air defense forces and means, measures to find the best ways to improve the efficiency of air defense. Thanks to the skillful command of the Lieutenant General, more than 3,000 enemy air goals have been destroyed by subordinate units of the Armed Forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Rostislav Lazarenko received the highest state award from the hands of the President, who has made more than 360 combat departments since the beginning of a full -scale invasion of Russia. Personally destroyed more than 100 units of enemy equipment (tanks, armored vehicles, motor vehicles, tanker trucks). The group under his personal leadership performed more than 2. 7 thousand combat departments with minimal losses of personnel.

In addition, the President awarded the warriors of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Bohdan Khmelnitsky I, II and III degrees, Order of Courage of II and III degrees, Order of Danylo Halytsky, medals "for military service of Ukraine", "For perfect service" of the 3rd degree.

In order to commemorate combat merits, courage and courage of military units, Vladimir Zelensky also presented the President of Ukraine "For Courage and Courage" of the 204th Sevastopol Brigade Ukraine. Honorary names were also awarded: "South Buzka"-the 19th Separate Brigade of Radio and Radiotechnical Intelligence of the Special Purpose of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces, "Nikopolsky"-the 301st Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces, "Colonel Ruslan Tyukh"-34th.