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Oekraïense luchtmachtbases onder vuur infographic
Graphic shows Ukrainian airbases and F-16 pledges.
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MILITARY

Rusland richt aanval op Oekraïense luchtmachtbases in aanloop naar levering F-16's

July 2, 2024 - Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian airbases it believes will be used to house U.S.-designed F-16 fighter aircraft, with the first planes due to arrive this month.

Ukraine hopes the jets will boost forces struggling to repel a Russian onslaught along the front line, which includes devastating glide bombs that F-16s could potentially disrupt.

Officials have not revealed where the F-16s will be based, but Moscow said after a strike on the Starokostiantyniv airbase last Thursday that it had targeted airfields it believed would house them.

The airbase has come under frequent attack since the first days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion, including from drones and hypersonic missiles.

Separately on Tuesday, Russia’s defence ministry said it had destroyed five Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets at Myrhorod airfield in Poltava region. Ukraine said the claim was exaggerated.

Military analysts said the Russians were probably targeting airbase infrastructure such as runways and storage facilities to make getting F-16s airborne more difficult, according to Reuters.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 02/07/2024; STORY: Graphic News
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