fighting aircraft, which defends our air space, was carried out during September 4–5". According to him, they fulfilled 45 battle launches of air-to-air missile, out of them 22 during the day and 23 at night. 35 pilots confirmed their high skills during the training. Hrytsenko stressed that 100% of air targets were hit. The Kharkiv State Aircraft Manufacturing Company has developed the KhAZ-30 ultralight trainer for the Ukrainian Airforce. The aircraft is designed for elementary pilot training as an introductory aircraft before recruits move on the more advanced Aero L-39 Albatros trainer. Invasion of Ukraine Ukrainian Air Force pilots received specialist training to shoot down cruise missiles. Something that has become important as the war has progress. The same tactics are used for intercepting drones. Pilots using their infrared search and track to detect cruise missiles and drones by their heat signature. They were trained to do this using simulators. Where most cruise missiles fly low and are hard to detect, Russian cruise missiles leave a heat signature from their “conventional two-circuit jet engines”. President Zelenskyy has singled out the 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade for praise in shooting down drones. As surface to air missiles run out the fighters are called upon to do more work. See also Ukrainian Long Range Aviation Ukrainian Falcons - aerobatic demonstration team Military ranks of Ukraine Antonov Notes References Operation Crimea 2014 Air Forces Monthly March 1994 The Ukrainian Army - uarmy.iatp.org.ua Analysis of the Ukrainian Security Policy Other images from foxbat.ru Ukraine as a Post-Cold War Military Power Ukrainian Air Force Photos from Ukrainian Air Force museum in Kyiv & Poltava Upgrading Ukraine’s Air Force could deter Russia External links Air Force page on the official site of Ministry of Defence: in Ukrainian Photo gallery of the Ukrainian Air Force and Ukrainian Falcons in flight. Obsolete 1990-s pennants and patches, Linden Hill imports Photos of Ukrainian Air Force . Air Force Air forces by country Air Force 1992 establishments in Ukraine Military units and formations established in 1992