Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

Ukrainian Defense Chief Says Kiev Won't Use F-16 Jets in Summer Counteroffensive

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Kiev will not deploy F-16 fighters in its possible counteroffensive this summer, as it requires time and training for pilots, engineers and technicians, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.
Sputnik
"F-16 will not [be a] game-changer this summer … it will take time to train our pilots and not only pilots. Training courses, we will arrange [them] with our partners for pilots and engineers, technicians," Reznikov told a Japanese broadcaster on Sunday.
Kiev will possibly be ready to deploy the aircraft this autumn or winter, the Ukrainian defense chief added.
Military
Ukrainians May Fly F-16s With Wing & Prayer, But Won't Be Effective in Combat
In May, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that Kiev needed 48 F-16 fighters to return the 1991 borders. Reznikov, on his part, refused to comment on the number of fighters and possible terms of their delivery to Ukraine.
Russia has called possible deliveries of F-16s another stage of escalation and warned that the equipment will become a legitimate target for Russian forces.
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