Written By Lisa Murimi
The first F-16 fighter jets are set to arrive in Ukraine from NATO member states after months of preparation and pilot training. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized their necessity in countering Russia’s aerial dominance and “unblocking the skies.”
However, Russian forces have been anticipating the arrival of the F-16s. They have targeted several Ukrainian military airfields, raising concerns that the jets may be attacked soon after arrival.
In July, airfields in Myrhorod, Kryvyi Rih, and southern Odesa came under attack. Moscow claims to have destroyed Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets, a radar, and Patriot air defense launchers, but Kyiv asserts that these were decoys.
Russian surveillance capabilities have advanced, with spy drones like Zala, Supercam, and Orlans providing real-time images from within Ukraine, bypassing electronic detection and jamming systems.
A recent Russian defense ministry video showed Iskander ballistic missiles hitting Myrhorod airbase.
Despite the tension, there is no confirmation that the F-16s have arrived. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands, with 65 pledged by NATO countries.
These jets will double Ukraine’s current fighter fleet, which comprises Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-27s.
Zelensky, who initially hoped for twice the number of jets, stresses the urgent need for aircraft to conduct missions such as Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), air interdiction, and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) to protect Ukrainian territory from Russian threats. The hope is that the F-16s, if protected on the ground, will help counter Russian glide bombs and push back enemy aircraft.
