F-16s to ensure Ukraine’s advantage over enemy in occupied areas – Air Force spox

The relevant statement was made by Spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat in an interview with Suspilne, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“We have a very large area of hostilities, and today’s front line, including Belarus, Transnistria, maritime borders and the sea – it is also the front line, as warships attack from there, – exceeds 2,000 kilometers. Thus, it is necessary to realize that they [F-16 fighter jets - Ed.] are needed everywhere to cover the state inside and attack the enemy,” Ihnat told.

In his words, the F-16 fighter jets will serve as a restraining force, as Russian aircraft simply would not approach, knowing that several F-16s are in the air.

“We need to gain an advantage in the [temporarily] occupied areas. When Russian aircraft step back, the land forces will not have an air support, and it will be much easier for our Defense Forces to advance and liberate our territories,” Ihnat noted, adding that the F-16 fighter jets can also launch strikes on ground targets, destroying the enemy’s logistics and command posts.

According to Ihnat, disrupting the enemy’s logistics with modern aircraft would guarantee the success of Ukraine’s Defense Forces on the front.