Clear sky for F-16s: military expert Zgurets on systematic work to weaken Russian air defense

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

“General Syrskyi said that the S-300 system in the Donetsk region was destroyed. Later, the advisor to the mayor of Mariupol said that this complex was destroyed near Manhush. The point is that the enemy is using these systems to cover its facilities and to hit our facilities in ground-to-ground mode. Syrskyi says that over a certain period of time, about 20 complexes and about 15 enemy radar stations were destroyed. This indicates that the Ukrainian side is systematically disabling enemy air defense systems. This may also be related to preparations for the use of aircraft in the future, i.e. to clear the sky for F-16s,” explained Zgurets.

According to the military expert, there is a systematic and consistent effort to weaken the Russian air defense system.

“On July 12, there was also information that an enemy S-300V system was destroyed at the airport in Mariupol. In particular, the radar stations of this complex were damaged and destroyed,” noted Zgurets.

• At midnight on July 16, units of the missile troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, together with other components of the Defense Forces, struck at Russia's S-300 system in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region.
• Ukrainian troops continue to strike at Russian air defense systems in the temporarily occupied territories and in the border areas of Russia to create conditions for the deployment of F-16 fighters after their expected arrival in Ukraine in the summer and fall of 2024.