This Ukrainian aerial combat footage was shot by a pilot in tribute to a fallen comrade.
The images show the pilot getting into a Ukrainian fighter plane and taking off before he can be seen flying over countryside, as well as above the clouds. The images also show the pilot engaging in combat operations against the Russian invaders.
The pilot, who has a Teddy bear on his cockpit dashboard, also films his wingman’s plane.
The footage was obtained from the Air Force command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on Tuesday, August 30, along with a statement saying: “The Ukrainian pilot shot and edited a video of the combat operation of the MiG-29 fighter.
“Ivan dedicates this video to his fallen brother Yevhen Lysenko, who heroically died in an aerial battle with the Russian invaders on 9th March. Let’s remember our defenders!”
The images and statement were also relayed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Zenger News contacted the Air Force command for further comment, as well as the Russian Ministry of Defense, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Tuesday marks the 188th day of the war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 30, Russia had lost about 47,100 personnel, 1,947 tanks, 4,269 armored combat vehicles, 1,060 artillery units, 279 multiple launch rocket systems, 149 air defense systems, 234 warplanes, 203 helicopters, 844 drones, 196 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 3,188 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 101 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian troops are launching a counteroffensive in the southern region of Kherson, according to military officials. The spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern command, Natalia Humeniuk, said on Monday: “Today we started offensive actions in various directions, including in the Kherson region.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday evening: “Anyone want to know what our plans are? You won’t hear specifics from any truly responsible person. Because this is war.”
He added: “But the occupiers should know: we will drive them to the border. To our border, the line of which did not change. The occupiers know it well. If they want to survive, it is time for the Russian military to flee.
“Go home. If you are afraid to return to your home in Russia–well, let such occupiers surrender, and we will guarantee them compliance with all norms of the Geneva Conventions. If they do not listen to me, they will deal with our defenders, who will not stop until they release everything that belongs to Ukraine.”
Zelensky advisor Oleksiy Arestovych said that Ukrainian troops have broken through the defensive positions of Russian forces in several frontline areas near the city of Kherson. Arestovych said they were also targeting ferries in the Kherson region that Russian forces have been using to resupply occupied territory on the Dnieper River’s west bank.
Inspectors from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog arrived in Kyiv on Monday night. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said that the team will visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is Europe’s largest, from Wednesday to Saturday. He said: “We must protect the safety and security of Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility.”
