Ukraine’s Air Base is Under Attack as it Prepares for the Arrival of US-Designed F-16 Fighter Jets

During the hours of early dawn, sounds of explosions filled the air as Ukrainian forces tried to defend Starokostiantyniv, a small city in Western Ukraine, from the clutches of a Russian attack. The city is home to an important airbase and finds itself a frequent target of Moscow’s attacks. The attacks by Russia are being carried out to destroy Kyiv as it rebuilds its depleted air force and deploys the first U.S.-designed F-16 fighter aircraft. Hours after the assault, there were no more explosions heard.

Ukraine hopes that the new aircraft will boost its military, which is struggling to repel Russian forces that are continually advancing, and hopes that the F-16 could potentially disrupt some of the devastating glide bombs that are utilized by them. Glide bombs are Soviet-era bombs fitted with precision guidance systems that are launched from an aircraft flying out of range of air defenses. The bombs weigh more than a ton and blast targets to smithereens, leaving a huge crater as a mark of their terror.

Since the inception of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there have been frequent attacks in this region from drones and missiles. The region, nicknamed Starkon, houses around 30,000 people, who have grown used to the instability presented to them. Officials are yet to make any comments regarding attacks on objects such as military bases and critical infrastructure. However, a Ukrainian air force spokesperson said that although there were “certain difficulties” presented to them by the strikes, it would not undermine the development of the F-16 aircraft.

The first set of F-16 planes, which had been requested by Ukraine for over two years, is set to finally arrive this month, and would help it to potentially defeat Russian forces. However, the length of the whole process, from procuring the aircraft and training Ukrainian officers to fly them, has put massive pressure on Kyiv. Russia, on the other hand, has enough time to prepare its defenses and nullify the F-16 aircraft’s impact.

Some analysts say that the F-16 alone does not reverse the impact that Russia’s forces have on Ukraine’s depleting ones. Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), says, “You’d have to separate symbolism from the actual impact on the battlefield – which will be useful but modest, particularly in the beginning.” Lawmaker Oleksandra Ustinova, who leads Ukraine’s commission on arms and munitions, says that Kyiv would need at least 120 of such aircraft to boost its air capacities significantly. Training of pilots will also be crucial, and the expected timeline for this has taken over the discussions about deliveries and pledges of around 70 F-16 fighter aircraft.

Governor Serhiy Tyurin said that air defenses had destroyed nine targets following Thursday’s attack. Residents of Starokostiantyniv had also been warned about drones entering the region shortly before the attack. Nonetheless, local residents seemed eager to present a sense of resilience against the unfavorable circumstances, while instability and violence cloud a city that was once their home. Roadworks continued as jets flew overhead, and families and groups of teenagers cooled off at the local beach.

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Senaara SonuNews Writer

Senaara Sonu is a creative and dynamic individual with a fervent passion for journalism, content creation, and marketing. Currently pursuing a major in these fields, Senaara is dedicated to honing her skills and expanding her knowledge base. Always striving for continuous improvement and excellence, she is committed to producing high-quality work and achieving outstanding results. With a proactive attitude and a keen eye for detail, Senaara is poised to make a significant impact in the world of media and communications.

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