Air Defense: Ukraine Parries As Russia Seeks To Slow Counteroffensive With New Surge Of Attacks

May 26, 2023

Radio Free Europe:

Each of the 12 Ukrainian coats of arms painted on the Humvee carrying the Stinger missile launcher represents a Russian target shot down by Oleksandr. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the 26-year-old soldier says, he has hit and destroyed two Su-25 fighter planes, two K52 attack helicopters, six Orland drones, and two Shahed drones.

“What’s left is to shoot down a cruise missile,” he told RFE/RL one recent morning with a laugh. He and his comrade Oleh, who drives the Humvee, were upbeat, despite not sleeping the previous night. They were on their feet and ready to target Russian rockets and drones after an air alert went off in Ukraine’s capital.

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