As Kyiv eagerly awaits the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, Russia announced on Tuesday that it had destroyed five Ukrainian military jets in an airstrike. This attack occurred as Ukraine was gearing up to introduce the new aircraft into its defense arsenal.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that Iskander-M missiles targeted an airbase near Myrhorod, a central Ukrainian city approximately 150 kilometers from the Russian border. According to the ministry’s statement on Telegram, the strike destroyed five Su-27 multi-role fighters and damaged two others that were undergoing maintenance.
Footage released by the ministry showed grey smoke billowing from the airfield, with several parked aircraft and scorched earth visible in the background.
Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers initially reported the attack on Monday. However, Ukraine’s air force has declined to comment on the incident. Ukrainian military correspondents and angry commanders criticized Kyiv for leaving aircraft exposed in the open without adequate protection, leading to the loss of equipment.
Despite the limited use of fighter jets in the ongoing conflict, Kyiv hopes that the arrival of Western F-16 fighters will significantly bolster its defense capabilities against Russian bombings. Since the conflict began, Ukraine has requested these American-made jets, and several NATO countries have promised to supply them. Ukrainian pilots and crew have been training for months to prepare for their arrival.
The first deliveries of F-16s, including those from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, are expected soon. Meanwhile, Russia has vowed to target and destroy these jets once they arrive. The exact location where Ukraine will station the F-16s remains undisclosed.
Aggressive Russian military bloggers have noted an increase in Russian attacks on Ukrainian airbases this year, anticipating the arrival of the new aircraft.
