Ukrainian Air Force confesses modern Russian aircrafts exceed F-16s

(MENAFN) The head of the Ukrainian Air Force Communications Department, Yury Ignat, has acknowledged that Russia’s latest fighter jets and missile systems outperform Ukraine’s Western-supplied F-16s.

Since 2023, NATO allies have been allowed by Washington to send their surplus US-made jets, including F-16s, to Ukraine. However, Ignat noted in an interview with Ukrainian Pravda that these aircraft, including the Mirages already in use, are not the newest models.

He emphasized the importance of radar detection and missile strike range, stating that Russian planes and missiles have greater reach than the current F-16s in Ukraine’s arsenal.

Ignat also compared Ukraine’s older Soviet-era fighters like the MiG-29 and Su-27 to the newer Russian jets, describing the matchup as “like a Makarov pistol against a sniper rifle.” He previously said that Ukraine’s existing F-16s cannot compete one-on-one with Russia’s modern Su-35 multirole fighters.

Though the exact number of F-16s delivered remains undisclosed, it is believed that Ukraine received 18 last year, with three already destroyed, according to Ignat.

He also revealed that US-made Patriot air defense systems have struggled against Russian missiles, with Iskander cruise missiles evading interception by performing evasive maneuvers and deploying decoys.

Russia has condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, viewing the F-16 deliveries as an escalation. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any jets involved in the conflict operating from bases outside Ukraine would render those bases hostile in Moscow’s eyes.

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