Zelensky announced: Ukrainian defense forces “neutralized” the second Russian aircraft in a day
President Volodymyr Zelensky made an important statement regarding the current successes of Ukrainian defenders in the fight against Russian aggression. According to him, over the past day, Ukrainian military forces struck the second Russian military aircraft that was in the airspace of the temporarily occupied Crimea. This is a significant achievement for Ukrainian aviation and air defense systems, which are actively strengthening their capabilities to defend Ukraine's skies and to destroy the enemy. In his video address on the eve of the evening, Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the crews demonstrating a high level of training and effectiveness in combatting Russian aviation. The president emphasized that Ukrainian military forces managed to shoot down a Russian military aircraft in the last 24 hours — this is already the second such incident in this short period. Meanwhile, work continues actively to damage enemy military targets on the territory of occupied Crimea, including military warehouses and other key military infrastructure. Zelensky also noted that the activity of Ukrainian forces is not limited to the borders of Donbas or the south of our country. Ukraine maintains its presence in the border areas of Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia, which also demonstrates the ability to respond to the aggressor across the entire front. This is not only a deterrent factor for the Russian side but also a demonstration of Ukrainian readiness to defend every piece of its territory. Regarding preparations for new battles and strikes, Ukrainian military forces continue to enhance their capabilities at sea. On Saturday, May 3, it was reported that special units of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and defense forces, successfully neutralized a Russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea by using aviation missiles launched from surface drones. This operation once again proved the ability of Ukrainian forces to neutralize the enemy's powerful aviation potential even in the maritime sector. Over the past night, reports from Russia and occupied territories indicate intense air defense activity. According to official data from Russian military sources, 11 missiles and over 170 loitering drones were shot down during the night, most of which originated from the territory of occupied Crimea. This demonstrates the high activity of Ukrainian strike assets, aimed at reducing the enemy’s capacity to carry out sustained strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure and military targets. Ukrainian military personnel are not only defending Ukraine's borders but also actively responding to the aggressor by demonstrating the ability to destroy important enemy military equipment and disrupt their logistics centers. This provides hope for further strengthening of defenses and consolidating our country's positions in these difficult wartime conditions. Overall, the situation remains tense, but Ukrainian defense forces show resilience, courage, and the ability to act quickly and effectively. Authorities call for unity and support for the Armed Forces, which, with their bravery and experience, continue to push back the enemy on all fronts. Ukraine remains unwavering in its fight, and each success on the battlefield adds confidence that victory is on our side.