Ukraine Confirms Use of F-16s in Repelling Russian Air Strikes
KIEV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed onTuesday that Ukrainian forces used F-16 fighter jets to defend against a large-scale Russian air attack on Monday, successfully shooting down some missiles and drones.
We shot down some missiles and drones with the help of F-16s, Zelenskyy told reporters, adding that the jets had achievedvery good results. He expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s partners for providing the F-16s but acknowledged that it’s not enough, we don’t have many of them, and we still need to train pilots.
The confirmation comes after Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure on Monday, causing widespread power outages across the country. Russia, in turn, reported damage to its own infrastructure following a Ukrainian attack on the Kursk region.
The Russian news outlet Moskovsky Komsomolets published an article on Tuesday titled Black Monday is Just the Beginning, claiming that the large-scale strikes on Monday were only the start of a series of attacks targeting critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The article claimed these strikes were a response to Ukraine’s adventurous actions in attacking the Kursk region.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Western countries to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, arguing that they are crucial for defending against Russian air attacks. Western countries eventually agreed to supply Ukraine with 79 F-16s, with the first 10 arriving on July 31st. Zelenskyy confirmed on August 4th that Ukraine had received the F-16s, stating that they would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s combat capabilities.
However, the delivery of F-16s has been met with mixed reactions. While Ukraine sees them as avital tool in the fight against Russia, Moscow has dismissed their impact, claiming that they will be easily shot down and destroyed. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that the delivery of F-16s would not have a significant impact on the course of the war.
The use ofF-16s in the defense against Monday’s Russian attack marks a significant escalation in the conflict. While Ukraine has previously used Western-supplied weapons systems, the deployment of advanced fighter jets like the F-16 represents a new level of military capability.
The incident highlights the ongoing struggle between Ukraine andRussia, with both sides resorting to increasingly sophisticated weaponry and tactics. The deployment of F-16s by Ukraine raises questions about the potential for further escalation and the role of Western military support in the conflict.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to engage in military operations. The potential consequences of theuse of F-16s and the ongoing conflict remain to be seen.
【source】https://news.ifeng.com/c/8cPW013UK6V
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