Ukrainian air force marks American Independence Day with messages of gratitude to US on bombs

Members of the Ukrainian air force have marked American Independence Day by painting messages on bombs and anti-radiation missiles.

The Ukrainian military published photos of high-precision JDAM-ER bombs with messages such as "Thanks for your support", "Glory to Ukraine and god bless America" and "Together for peace and victory".

Mykola Oleschuk, Commander of the Ukrainian air force, published the photos and said, on behalf of Ukraine's military, he had "the honour to congratulate the American people on this most important date in the history of the United States of America".

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"I thank the people and the government of the United States of America for supporting Ukraine in this difficult and fateful time for the whole world," he said.

"Our soldiers are successfully using American weapons to protect the Ukrainian people from Russian air terror, and our pilots are carrying out daily airstrikes."

The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) converts unguided bombs into precision-guided missiles.

They have been integrated into Ukraine's MiG-29 fighter jets and, after being released from an aircraft, autonomously follow the determined co-ordinates of the target.

Messages were also painted on Harm missiles - an air-to-surface tactical missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar-equipped air defense systems.