Russian attacks on Ukrainian air bases raise concerns about F-16 deployments

"Russia's claims that it struck three Ukrainian air force bases in a matter of days exposed gaps in Kyiv's air defense capabilities.

 

It also raised questions about how the incoming fleet of F-16 fighter jets would be protected.

 

Apart from the loss of equipment, the strikes by Russia this week are a big symbolic blow to Kyiv. Five months have passed since Ukraine declared that its priority in 2024 is to fully control the skies.

 

Russia's defense ministry said it destroyed at least six Ukrainian planes and a helicopter in missile strikes on three different bases this week, and released intelligence footage taken from drones.

 

In the most serious strike, she said, five Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jets were destroyed at the Myrhorod base in the Poltava region, about 150 km from the border with Russia.

 

It also reported that an Iskander missile hit a stationary Mi-24 military helicopter. The Mig-29 was destroyed during the attack on the air base in the city of Dolhintsevo, located about 100 km from the front line.

 

"The main problem is the lack of very short and short-range air defense," said Konrad Muzyka, director of Rochan Consulting, an analyst group that studies the conflict.

 

"This prevents Ukraine from shooting down Russian drones," he added.

 

This means that Russia can fly reconnaissance drones deep into Ukrainian territory to obtain relevant intelligence and coordinates for missile strikes.

 

In all three strikes this week, the Russian Defense Ministry released drone videos of the strikes and their aftermath.

 

This demonstrates not only their ability to fly far into Ukrainian territory, but also the fact that they can remain undetected long enough to transmit accurate location data.

 

Moscow may have used the second drone as a "remote control transmitter" to increase the range of the surveillance aircraft, a European defense industry source told AFP on condition of anonymity."