Stories from Russian media, together with Vzglyad, declare that a minimum of two Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets had been ambushed whereas trying to take off from Starokostiantyniv airport in western Ukraine. Allegedly, this assault was executed by a Russian Mikoyan MiG-31 supersonic interceptor. These studies, dated September 26 of this yr, concern the current Russian assault on the airport in western Ukraine.
Nevertheless, the Russian Ministry of Protection’s each day report for September 26 doesn’t point out such an incident. Most Russian media reference the Voenno Delo [Military Business] Telegram channel, which is a Russian supply. This account presents no further particulars on the strike. It said, “On the Starokostiantyniv airport, two F-16 fighters donated by the Netherlands had been hit with a delay whereas attempting to take off. There have been additionally Su-24s on the airbase. The strike was carried out by an air ambush of 4 MiG-31Ks of the Russian Air Power with a hypersonic complicated Kinzhal [Dagger].”
In line with the Russian useful resource Prime Warfare, “About 10:00 Moscow time, data started to emerge in Ukrainian Telegram channels and monitoring communities about an air alert over the nation because of the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K carrying hypersonic missiles ‘Kinzhal.’”
Prime Warfare studies unconfirmed data relating to current occasions. In line with their sources, explosions have been cited on the Starokostiantyniv airport within the Khmelnytskyi area and in Kyiv. Round 11:00 Moscow time, one other air alert was declared, with observers noting additional explosions close to the identical army airport in Khmelnytskyi. Moreover, native Telegram channels reported blasts in Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Power has confirmed that Ukraine was focused by hypersonic missiles. Following these incidents, roughly 40-45 minutes later, one other alert was triggered because of the launch of the MiG-31K. As of now, no new incidents have been reported.
In one other unconfirmed report by Army Watch Journal, it’s claimed that an airbase assault in Ukraine resulted within the destruction of 4 newly delivered F-16 fighter jets. This was supplemented by Russian sources stating that Kinzhal ballistic missiles focused an airfield in Starokonstantinov, western Ukraine.
On September 21, Russian forces coordinated assaults utilizing drones and missiles, together with superior methods just like the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, aiming to degrade the infrastructure essential to help these Western plane.
These strikes [September 21] geared toward taking out radars, antennas, and help gear had been largely intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, considerably minimizing the harm, in keeping with studies [September 21] from Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, RBC Ukraine, the Kyiv Publish, and different media shops citing Ukrainian army statements.
Regardless of this, the Russian army continues to prioritize this base, presumably believing it will likely be a key location for F-16 operations. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that different sources haven’t but backed up Army Watch Journal’s claims that F-16 fighter jets had been impacted by the strike.
The Kinzhal, a uncommon and high-end air-launched missile, has been constantly used towards high-value targets, usually together with newly delivered NATO army gear. In contrast to Ukrainian Soviet-origin fighters, F-16s can’t function from makeshift or substandard airfields, which limits the variety of appropriate deployment amenities.
This shift was anticipated to make the plane simpler to focus on, particularly when in comparison with the MiG-29s, which had been the mainstay of the Ukrainian fleet and are recognized for his or her distinctive off-strip efficiency.
The preliminary batch of F-16s arrived in Ukraine on August 1, with the primary reported loss occurring on August 26, confirmed three days afterward. Conflicting studies encompass the reason for this loss. Whereas right this moment’s trendy F-16 Block 70/72 boasts spectacular capabilities, the F-16s promised to Ukraine, together with these beforehand utilized by the Danish Air Power [F-16 AM/BM], are primarily outdated Chilly Warfare-era fashions.
On August 26, 2023, Ukrainian authorities confirmed that an F-16 fighter jet had been shot down throughout a mission over the japanese area of the nation. This incident highlights the continuing battle between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops who’re aggressively attempting to broaden their management within the space. In line with Ukraine’s Ministry of Protection, the pilot managed to eject safely and was efficiently rescued—a significant incidence given the tense state of affairs.
The downing of the F-16 has sparked important discussions in regards to the effectiveness of Western army gear and the methods employed by Ukrainian forces. This case raises considerations about Ukraine’s capacity to defend its airspace, significantly amid escalating Russian assaults. As well as, the incident has provoked worldwide reactions, main many Western observers to query the measures Ukraine will implement to stop comparable occurrences sooner or later and the way it will impression the broader dynamics of the battle.
These older variants should not believed to face an opportunity in air-to-air fight towards up to date Russian fighters geared up with phased-array radars and superior jamming methods. Nevertheless, they’re anticipated to be efficient platforms for launching long-range missile strikes on Russian territory from nicely behind Ukrainian strains.
Denmark and the Netherlands have given Ukraine the inexperienced gentle to make use of their F-16s for deep strikes. In the meantime, the US is contemplating sending AGM-158 JASSM air-launched cruise missiles with a 400-kilometer vary to assist in such missions. NATO members are depleting their shares of Soviet-era MiG-29s, making the older F-16 variants the one available fighters to accentuate missile assaults towards Russia.
BulgarianMilitary.com studies that Ukraine confronted extreme setbacks on September 16, struggling the lack of two Su-27 fighters and one MiG-29, in keeping with studies. A press launch from the Russian Ministry of Protection confirmed these incidents, stating that they occurred throughout aerial fight and had been compounded by air protection methods from late September 14 by September 15.
The lack of Su-27s is especially difficult for Ukraine. These fighters present irreplaceable air protection and interception capabilities, even when in comparison with trendy Western jets just like the F-16. The Su-27 stands out as a heavyweight, long-range fighter that excels with superior velocity [up to Mach 2.35], an prolonged operational vary [3,530 km], and noteworthy high-altitude efficiency, making it troublesome to substitute with the lighter F-16.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia said that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, ensuing within the deaths of 5 Ukrainian fighters. Nevertheless, Ukraine rapidly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable transfer on the identical day, Russia introduced it formally acknowledged the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Apparently, in keeping with Russian President Putin, this recognition lined all of the Ukrainian areas. Following this declaration, Putin despatched a battalion of Russia’s army forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Quick ahead to February 24, 2022, international headlines had been dominated by a important incident. Putin commanded a forceful army assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s spectacular Armed Forces positioned on the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous however a premeditated motion. Regardless of the circumstances resembling a battle, the Russian authorities refrains from utilizing this time period. They’d somewhat consult with it as a “particular army operation”.
***
Observe us all over the place and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you may open the web page from any pc, cell gadgets or internet browsers. For extra up-to-date information, observe our Google Information, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Fb pages. Our requirements: Manifesto & moral ideas.
