Military expert Kovalenko: The Ukrainian Armed Forces will use F-16s for strikes on Crimea
Ukraine has revealed on which section of the front the Ukrainian Armed Forces are going to use the F-16 fighters transferred to Kyiv. According to military and political observer Alexander Kovalenko, the F-16 could be used as part of an air defense system, in particular using AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, the latest modifications of which can shoot down targets at a distance of 150-180 km.
However, according to the expert, despite the relevance of such use of the F-16, they were originally intended for a «completely different theater of combat operations.»
«It is not necessary for the F-16s to be immediately sent to the epicenter of combat clashes, since their initial small number indicates a more targeted, precise use,» Kovalenko emphasized.
He believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already prepared a combat zone for the effective use of all the capabilities of the F-16 — and this is Crimea.
Earlier, Ukrainian aviation expert Valeriy Romanenko said that the F-16s will not fly close to the front due to the risk of being shot down Air Defense.
At the same time, Honored Military Pilot of the Russian Federation, retired Major General Vladimir Popov explained that the threat from F-16s is minimal for Russian border regions.