Ukraine marks National Flag Day. Ukrainian intelligence lures a Russian pilot with a Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine. Ukraine destroys Russia\u2019s S-400 air defense system with personnel in Crimea.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine marks National Flag Day on August 23, and Independence Day on August 24. There will be no public gatherings on both holidays for safety reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday, what is believed to be the largest Ukrainian national flag flew over the National Museum of Ukraine\u2019s History in World War II in Kyiv. The flag was signed by Ukrainian service members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Zelenskyi took part in the ceremony where a company of the honor guard marched and the national anthem was played. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur flag is our strength, a source of will, unbreakable spirit for all the warriors who go into battle with this flag on their armor and under their hearts, fight for every meter of our land, go forward and will reach our victory,\u201d Zelenskyi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The flag hoisted in Kyiv was signed by Ukrainian soldiers across the country, from Chernihiv to Odesa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c[This flag was in the positions] along the entire defense line of Ukraine, in various combat brigades and units, in hospitals where the wounded undergo treatment, in the hands of volunteers. This flag will always keep the memory of many Ukrainians. More signatures of our warriors will certainly be added and will enrich it,\u201d the President said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter landed in Ukraine as part of a six-month special operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry, said Ukrainian news web site Ukrainska Pravda, citing senior intelligence officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The helicopter was on a flight between two airbases, transporting parts for Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two other crew members on the helicopter were not aware of the pilot\u2019s plan. Mi-8 landed in Kharkiv region. (Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence, earlier said that the helicopter landed in Poltava region).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both crew members were killed. The pilot\u2019s family was brought from Russia to Ukraine before his defection. The pilot and his family are staying in Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mi-8 and the spare parts it was carrying are in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commenting on the operation, Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov said: \u201cThe Russians blame the landing on navigation error, but that\u2019s just another Russia\u2019s lie. The Poltava air base, where the helicopter landed, according to a Russian milblogger, is about 300 km away from the front line. The Russians could have landed there only purposefully, after a well-prepared flight.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe helicopter flies at a low altitude and slow speeds. The crew can see orientation signs on the ground. A 300-kilometer mistake is impossible, that\u2019s heavy fuel consumption. It could not have happened by chance. If Russia\u2019s account is accurate, it may well be the first ever case when a pilot defected with a Russian military helicopter,\u201d Butusov said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the morning of August 23, the Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian long- and medium-range S-400 Triumph missile system in occupied Crimea. Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence released a video of the explosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack took place at 10 a.m. near the village of Olenivka on Cape Tarkhankut in western Crimea. \u201cAs a result of the explosion, the installation itself, the missiles installed on it and the personnel were completely destroyed,\u201d the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
S-400 (NATO code name SA-21 Growler) is a Russian surface-to-air system capable of shooting down targets at long and medium ranges. It can engage airborne warning and control systems, radar pickets, airborne command posts, strategic bombers, and, according to the manufacturer, hypersonic cruise and ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given the limited number of such systems in Russia\u2019s arsenal, this is \u201ca painful blow\u201d to the occupiers\u2019 air defense system, \u201cwhich will have a serious impact on further events in the occupied Crimea,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s intelligence said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On August 22, 2023, Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence chief, Major General Kyrylo Budanov said the Ukrainians \u201cwill see in the coming days\u201d how the occupiers are being destroyed in Crimea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n