Ukraine is due to receive nearly 100 American-made F-16s from its Western allies
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian air bases ahead of the first scheduled deliveries of Western F-16 fighter jets.
Over the last week, the Russians have attacked bases at Myrhorod in central Ukraine, and Dolgintsevo, approximately 50 miles from the frontlines. Russia claims to have destroyed at least six aircraft, including five SU-27 fighter jets.
Although Russia’s air campaign against Ukraine has been unceasing, in recent months the main target has been Ukrainian energy infrastructure, in advance of winter.
Almost 100 American-made F-16s have been promised to Kyiv by its Western allies: 30 from Belgium, 24 for the Netherlands, 22 form Norway and 19 from Denmark. Sweden has also pledged to supply an AWACS aircraft, which will provide invaluable support for planning and coordinating air operations with F-16s.
After the failure of its 2023 counter-offensive, Kyiv identified lack of air superiority as a key factor limiting its ability to push back the Russians on the battlefield.
“In 2024, of course the priority is to throw Russia from the skies,” foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an address to the World Economic Forum in Davos in February.
“Because the one who controls the skies will define when and how the war will end.”
“The latest strikes are not gamechangers, but they are a worrying signal, and they underline Russia is preparing to counter the deployment of F-16s,” said Alessandro Marrone, a defense analyst at the Istituto Affari Internazionali, an Italian think tank.
“In Europe, there are high expectations on F16 deliveries, but we should be cautious in assessing the risks for these assets both during air sorties and their stationing in Ukrainian airfields.”
It’s already been suggested that, to protect its precious new F-16s, Ukraine could station them on the territory of its NATO allies. President Putin has already said that, if this happens, they will be legitimate targets for Russian strikes.
“If they are stationed at air bases outside the Ukrainian borders and used in combat, we will have to see how and where to strike the assets used in combat against us,” Putin said last year. “It poses a serious danger of NATO being further drawn into the conflict.”
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