Ukrainian servicemen of the 18th separate helicopter detachment of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are continuing to fulfill orders of the UN peacekeeping mission.

"Ukrainian pilots have already logged more than 2,000 hours in African airspace, with some setting new records, having flown more than 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 hours [in total]," Ukraine's defense ministry said on its website on Tuesday.

Deputy detachment commander, 1st-class pilot Colonel Evhen Vakulenko said that in the last two or three months the number of flights increased in southern Congo, where one of the aviation groups with a Ukrainian contingent is based. The main task is to transport UN mission personnel and various shipments, as well as peacekeepers to various regions in the area.

Pilot sniper and unit commander Yuriy Verbelchuk said that shortly before, the UN mission command had sent a letter to Ukraine expressing thanks for the high military preparedness of the helicopter detachment and its exemplary fulfillment of responsibilities aimed at bringing peace to the African nation.

Verbelchuk said presidential elections would soon be held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to increased workloads for Ukrainian servicemen there.