Ukraine struggle newest: Moscow ‘ignores Trump warning’; Ukrainians ‘practically surrounded’ in Kursk | World Information

By Sean Bell, army analyst

Though Ukraine was promised over 100 F-16 fighter jets by the West, solely a handful have up to now been deployed into the war-torn nation.

A scarcity of certified and skilled pilots means it would most likely be a decade earlier than Ukraine has a sturdy nationwide air energy functionality.

The fighters are extraordinarily efficient at capturing down Russian cruise missiles and drones and thus assist Ukraine husband restricted provides of air defence missiles, significantly now Donald Trump has paused US army help provides.

These defensive missions are performed effectively away from Russian air defence programs to optimise their survivability.

Ukrainian pilots have additionally been coaching on French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets.

Final month the French deployed the primary consignment of those succesful fighter jets into Ukraine, and final night time these Mirage jets – piloted by Ukrainian pilots – have been used operationally for the primary time to defend the skies over Ukraine.

Nevertheless, Ukraine needs to be very cautious to husband this invaluable however restricted functionality.

Solely a small handful of F-16s have up to now been ahead deployed into Ukraine, however sources counsel at the very least two have been misplaced to this point – at the very least one to “pleasant hearth”, a sufferer of Ukraine’s air defence system.

The fighter jets are extremely succesful, however with out skilled pilots conversant in the western digital warfare, radar, defensive aids and weapons programs, it is going to be a while earlier than Ukraine is ready to current a reputable and sturdy response to the Russian invasion.