Celebrating Air Force Day: Honoring Ukraine's Aviation Legacy

Today, Ukraine celebrates Air Force Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This holiday is observed on the first Sunday of August, in accordance with the Presidential Decree dated June 27, 2007.

The history of aviation is deeply intertwined with Ukraine. Notable figures such as Oleksandr Mozyrskyi, who designed one of the first aircraft, and Mykola Kybalychych, a pioneer in rocket theory, hailed from this land. Globally renowned names like Igor Sikorsky and Dmytro Hryhorovych gained fame for their remarkable flying machines.

Ukrainian ace pilots Konstantyn Artseulov and Volodymyr Dybolskyi were the first to master the art of recovering aircraft from free fall. Pilot Yevgraf Kruten’ laid the groundwork for fighter aviation tactics that continue to influence modern aerial combat methods.

Today, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine comprises not only air units but also air defense components, including anti-aircraft missile systems and radio engineering troops, as well as specialized forces.