Window of opportunity to maximize use of guided bombs will soon close in Russia

He spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"It was said many months ago that F-16s would significantly change the situation on the front line dominated by Russian aircraft. Because Russian aircraft must approach the front line 40-50 kilometers in good winds to operate the guided bombs. The AIM-120 missile, which the F-16s are equipped with, is capable of hitting aircraft, and in this case Russian aircraft, at a distance of 180 km or more. And the F-16's reconnaissance systems operate at a distance of 300 km. Accordingly, it is easy to conclude that Russian dominance and their competitive advantage in the skies above the front line will be nullified if F-16s are able to operate in the Ukrainian skies," the Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman said.

According to him, there is a threat of Russian air defense, which the enemy has been preparing for the past year and a half, since talks about the F-16 began. Of course, the Russians have not been sitting idly by, so they will try to reduce the effect of these aircraft.

"However, the Russian aggressors will not be able to feel good and calm with the guided bombs above the front line, because it will be a significant tool that will destroy them by the dozens, maybe even hundreds. So our expectations are obvious here, but we understand that this is not a magic pill that will immediately cure all the diseases at the front. But it is something that will allow us to take a serious step forward. And, of course, standard, classic air defense systems, which we need more of, because then we will be able to bring some of them closer to the front line, which will also prevent Russian aircraft from operating as they do now. Realizing this window of opportunity, the Russians are now trying to make every effort to maximize the performance of their air traffic control centers. I am confident that this window of opportunity will close in the coming months," Ivan Varchenko summarized.

F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. 

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

On August 17, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine.

At the same time, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia. 

The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown.

On September 15, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition. Such aircraft are dangerous to operate.

On October 11, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in March-April 2024.

On October 12, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.

On October 26, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA.

On November 1, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.

In early January 2024, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets this year.

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. 

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

On August 17, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine.

At the same time, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia. 

The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown.

On September 15, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition. Such aircraft are dangerous to operate.

On October 11, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in March-April 2024.

On October 12, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.

On October 26, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA.

On November 1, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.

According to ISW, Ukraine may receive F-16s by the end of 2023.