Page 9 - UKRRptSept21

2.2 Ukraine shows off its old and new military hardware in the 30th anniversary of Independence Day parade
More than 400 vehicles, 100 aircraft, and upwards of 5,000 troops from all the uniformed branches of service were visible during Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations that were supposed be a source of national pride and a demonstration that the people were ready to defen themselves in the going undeclared war with Russia in Donbas.
Ukraine’s military has been rapidly upgraded since hostilities broke out following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Many new and long-awaited weapons that have been recently accepted for service were on display during the parades although the bulk of the hardware was the same Soviet-era workhorses of the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite being repaired and polished to a sheen, many of the aircraft and armoured vehicles on display are decades old and will have to be retired within the next few years.
Nonetheless, the Interior Ministry unveiled its newest Eurocopter EC225 models, recently purchased from France, in addition to Soviet-era helicopters such as transporters like the Mil Mi-8s and Mi-14s, as well as attack choppers like the Mi-24.
Venerable transport planes like the famous Ukrainian-made Antonov An-26, An-70, An-72 and An-225 Mriya, the largest cargo aircraft ever built, as well as
9 UKRAINE Country Report September 2021 www.intellinews.com