Ihnat: Ukraine can't put air defense along entire border, so we need F-16s

Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Air Force Command, said this at a briefing at the Ukraine-Ukraine Media Center, speaking about the possibilities of protecting Ukraine's border regions bordering Russia and suffering the most from its terrorist attacks, according to Ukrinform.

"You all know that Russia is constantly shelling, for example, the Sumy region with guided aerial bombs. In addition, the Sumy region suffers from drone attacks. This is a really serious problem. Mobile groups are trying to shoot them down, but it is quite difficult. That's why we have to rely more on anti-aircraft missile systems. Is it possible to install air defense systems along the border of Ukraine and solve this problem? Obviously, it is not possible, there is no such possibility. If it were possible, we would have done it long ago. That is why we are looking forward to the F-16. When we have F-16s, it will allow us to significantly increase the percentage of air targets that are carrying out terrorist attacks on the territory of Ukraine," Ihnat said.

At present, he emphasized, while Ukraine is waiting for the F-16, different countries are helping us with various air defense systems.

"There are already many statements from various countries about the transfer of additional air defense systems to us. Of course, this cannot happen quickly. The West was not prepared for such an escalation of the conflict by Russia, for such terror and such a crime. That is why Western countries and the United States are now increasing the production of ammunition, drones, anti-aircraft missile systems and missiles for them," explained the Air Force Command spokesman.

Ihnat expressed his belief that in the future Ukraine will only increase its weapons and defense systems and become stronger.

As reported, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that according to the schedule, the first F-16s should be flying in Ukrainian airspace by the end of the first quarter of next year.