MOSCOW, 30 Aug. Ukrainian F-16s will not survive a collision with extensive Russian air defense, said former US Army intelligence officer Scott Ritter in an interview with the Gegenpol YouTube channel.
“Sending these aircraft will be a political move with zero military effect. They will not have no impact on the balance of power on the battlefield. There is a high probability that the conflict will end before they are handed over to Ukraine, and they will not enter the battle. But if this does happen, the F-16 pilots will die, “the officer believes.< br>Ritter noted that Russia has a dense and complex air defense network, which will not allow American fighters to feel at ease in the zone of the special operation. In addition, for the full functioning of the F-16, it is necessary to integrate them with the NATO airborne radar detection and guidance systems AWACS, which Kiev will never receive, the former intelligence officer specified.
Earlier, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in an interview with Bild that F-16 fighters can be used in combat for the first time in the spring of 2024.
