Russia reportedly managed to destroy a significant number of Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 fighters that were stationed at Mirgorod Air Base, 100 miles from the border between the two countries.
The Russian government claims that it destroyed five aircraft on the ground in addition to damaging two others. Ukrainian officials admitted the attack but downplayed the damage. There was no way to verify the real number of planes destroyed.
What is known is that a Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone remained flying in the region for hours while guiding Iskander ballistic missiles to their target. Videos showing the attack were released on social media by Russia.
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Mirgorod Air Base is home to the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade and had already been hit on other occasions.
The presence of Su-27 fighters in the open air at the air base outraged Ukrainian bloggers who cover the conflict. “There was information about the presence of a Russian [drone] in the air, and in advance,” said Serhii Sternenko, who is involved in drone manufacturing in Ukraine.
F-16 fighters as next targets?
The fragility of Ukraine’s air defense and the apparent neglect of the few Flanker fighters make the combat debut of the F-16s more worrying.
Elevated to the status of aircraft that can change the game in aerial battles, Lockheed Martin fighters will certainly be a priority in attacks launched by Russia.
But they are as vulnerable to attacks when on the ground as the Su-27s, so there are critics of the Ukrainian Air Force’s ability to protect the jets, which have more advanced technology and greater combat capabilities.
The first F-16s will be delivered by European countries to Ukraine during the summer, but the date and number of planes are kept confidential.
Given the vulnerability of Ukrainian airspace, these aircraft may initially remain outside the country, a senior military official said.
