A viral video shared on social media showed a Ukrainian fighter pilot, dressed as Santa Claus, firing at what are likely Russian targets.
Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet, in a video posted by Ukraine_defence, can be seen attacking targets with US-integrated AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles.
The video caption reads: “A Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 conducts a standoff SEAD strike with a pair of US-integrated AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation air-to-surface missiles. The MiG is armed with two AGM-88s on the internal hardpoints and two R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles on the external hardpoints.”
The video went viral as Ukraine reels under Russian drone strikes, after Moscow launched a third straight night of unprecedented airstrikes on civilian targets, escalating its air war over the New Year holiday. After firing dozens of missiles on December 31, Russia launched dozens of Iranian-made Shahed drones on January 1 and 2. But Kyiv said Monday it had shot down all 39 drones in the latest wave, including 22 shot down over the capital.
Meanwhile, last month, a Ukrainian pilot who shared a photo of his bloody face after being thrown out of his damaged fighter jet was honored with the title “Hero of Ukraine” by President Volodymur Zelenskyy, according to reports.
