>> translator: we have our tactics. we conducted the clear sky exercise with our american friends. we are now using some of the tactics we learned from the americans. >> reporter: the and u.s. its allies initially believed russia would own the skies over ukraine just days after their invasion. but the spokesman for ukraine's air force says they were ready. >> translator: we've been preparing for this scenario for eight years. it cannot be said that our military did not think this would not happen. we've destroyed 100 aircraft and 123 helicopters already. >> reporter: a lot of russian aircraft have been taken down by shoulder-launched missiles supplied by russian allies. the ukrainians still operate longer range systems like the s-300. the air force spokesman said ukraine wants western missiles and u.s. jets. >> translator: i'm talking about nato integrated air defense