Military authorities in Ukraine are currently developing several options to protect F-16 fighter jets, promised by Western countries to Kiev, from attacks by Russian forces at airports.
According to Russian state agency TASS, Ilya Evlash, representative of the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (FAU), stated: “It is necessary to adequately prepare the place for the F-16s. This represents a colossal amount, if we are talking, for example, about the creation of different underground shelters, bunkers, where they can be stored. This also takes time. Therefore, other diverse methods and options are now being developed regarding exactly where and how they can be accommodated.”
Evlash emphasized that the F-16s will be accommodated dispersedly on different types of runways and airports. “There are already some developments on how F-16 planes can be safely housed in Ukraine so that they can quickly fulfill their tasks and protect our airspace in particular.“, he added.
Ukraine has long asked partners to hand over F-16 fighters to it. However, the West has avoided supplying such planes to Kiev without due preliminary preparation of pilots and ground services personnel. Countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, USA and several other Western countries are actively participating in training Ukrainian pilots.
At the end of February, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that the first shipment of F-16s will arrive in Ukraine in the spring of this year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that shipments of new weapons to Ukraine, including F-16s, will not change the situation at the front, but will lead to a prolongation of the situation. Putin also noted that if these fighters appear in the FAU, they will burn in the same way as German Leopard tanks.
Tags: Ukraine analyzes protect Western countries F16 fighter jets Russian attacks
