Ukraine must gain aerial advantage to begin counteroffensive – Air Force

Ukraine's defense forces must gain an advantage in the air to begin the counteroffensive, says the air force spokesperson.

Ukrinform reports that Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, announced this during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

"We can't call this counteroffensive simple. For Air Force to be successful, we need to win the advantage in the sky because taking offensive actions under the fire of enemy aviation is difficult without domination in the air," says Colonel Yurii Ihnat. "The enemy continues attacks on land, from the air. I mean guided aerial bombs and other missile weapons from ships. We are conducting air battles, striking the means of destruction and hostile aviation when they are close to our borders. Saying a counteroffensive should occur without enhancing our domination in the air is hardly possible."

Colonel Ihnat recalled that the supply of Patriot, SAMP/T systems, and the Ukrainian soldiers who can work with these complexes would strengthen Ukraine's advantage in certain regions.

The spokesperson stressed that Ukraine expects a decision to provide modern multi-purpose aircraft of the 4th+ generation as soon as possible, meaning F-16 jets.

Colonel Ihnat said Ukrainian pilots had already been trained in the United States. The first tests show that it will take less time to prepare them than has previously been stated.

"Earlier, they stated the approximate term — half a year. Now we are talking about a shorter term because they saw that the boys are prepared and can master the equipment much faster, and not just fly, but use the types of weapons that will be available," Ihnat.

CNN reported on March 7, citing its own sources, that the United States was working with Ukrainian pilots to determine how long it would take to prepare them for F-16 fighters.

After decisions by the US and Germany to supply modern battle tanks to Ukraine, the nation fighting against russia's war has lobbied for the Western partners to strengthen the Ukrainian sky, namely, with fighter jets, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multirole fighter aircraft developed for the US Air Force.

The Netherlands announced it is ready to consider transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine if the nation requests it.

No so long after that, Ukraine officially asked the Netherlands to supply fighters.