Vitaly Saenko19:26, 04/19/24

Ukraine has the right to self-defense, which provides for the possibility of destroying legitimate military means used by the enemy to attack the territory of Ukraine.

No one imposed restrictions on Ukraine regarding the downing of Russian combat aircraft over the territory of the Russian Federation. According to an UNIAN correspondent, this was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a briefing following a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, which was held in a video conference format.

In particular, in connection with the destruction of the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber on the morning of April 19, Stoltenberg was asked whether there were any restrictions on shooting down military targets over Russian territory.

“We must remember that this is an aggressive war in which Russia attacks its neighbor, attacks Ukraine. Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and this also includes striking legitimate military targets outside of Ukraine. Therefore, shooting down Russian aircraft that are used to attack Ukraine “This is part of Ukraine’s right to self-defense,” Stoltenberg emphasized.

According to him, at today’s meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov just told partner countries about the efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect Ukrainian airspace, including defeating Russia’s various military capabilities.

The Secretary General of the Alliance was also asked whether Ukraine had made a request to receive not only Patriots, but also other systems to create a multi-level air defense system.

Stoltenberg assures that NATO allies are intensifying efforts to support Ukraine. Today, several allies pledged to deliver more air defense systems to Ukraine. “I expect concrete announcements in the near future,” Stoltenberg said.

According to him, Ukraine already has multi-layered air defense, but the challenge is to make this system stronger and more comprehensive to shoot down drones, various types of cruise missiles and the most advanced ballistic missiles. We are talking about the presence of such systems as NASAMS, IRIS-T, Gepard, Patriot and the like.

He said that Ukraine needs more air defense systems, appropriate batteries and missiles.

Destruction of the Russian Tu-22M3 bomber

As UNIAN reported, today, April 19, for the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, destroyed a long-range strategic bomber Tu-22M3. This plane crashed on the territory of the Stavropol Territory of the Russian Federation.

Such an aircraft carries Kh-22 cruise missiles, which the enemy uses to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities.

(C)UNIAN 2024