F-16 for Ukraine: initial missions of the fighter jets

By the end of summer 2024, F-16 fighters may appear in Ukrainian skies. Initially, these planes are expected to be over the western and central parts of the country, performing patrol missions.

This view was expressed by Oleksandr Musienko, Head of the Center for Military and Legal Studies, during an interview with Radio NV.

"I want to believe in this. I think there will be (F-16 aircraft in Ukrainian skies — ed.). But the question is, what will they be doing? I am already starting to hear that, in the initial phase, these planes will be over the west and center of Ukraine, performing patrol missions," Musienko noted.

The expert also added that the US and the West have some concerns about Russian aviation potentially outperforming the F-16s in technical parameters during aerial battles.

"And they (Western countries and the United States — ed.) are very afraid of this reputational blow," the expert said.

However, Musienko reassured the audience.

"We have seen with the Patriot, ATACMS and other weapons that Ukraine has used, that we can be the first. I think it will be the same with the aircraft. But they still have these concerns and are dragging out the process," he said.

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