Oleshchuk stated that Russian propaganda is attempting to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the international community.
Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk stated that by spreading false information about the alleged death of Ukrainian prisoners on board the destroyed Il-76 aircraft near Belgorod on January 24, Russians are trying to reduce support for Ukraine from its partners.
According to him, Ukrainian military will eliminate occupiers in any locations. He noted that cities near the front lines, such as Kharkiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and others, are under daily attacks from enemy rockets, bombs, and drones.
Oleshchuk stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing everything possible to fight against Russians both in the sky and on the ground.
“Many Russian aircraft, along with their crews, will never be able to terrorize our people again. They are destroyed. We are gaining more tools and capabilities to reach the enemy where they least expect it,” stated the general.
The military leader emphasized that on January 24, Russian propaganda is actively spreading fakes to the international audience and attempting to discredit Ukraine in the eyes of the global community.
“The goal is obvious – they want to reduce international support for our state. It won’t work. Ukraine has the right to defend itself and destroy the means of aerial aggression by the aggressor,” he concluded.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the situation with the crash of the Il-76 aircraft of occupiers on the territory of the Russian Federation. In an evening video address, he stated that Ukraine will insist on an international investigation.