Did Russia really strike F-16s and Mirages in Lutsk? Ukrainian expert weighs in
Illustrative photo: F-16 jet (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
After the recent Russian missile strike on Lutsk, speculation began to spread in Ukrainian society about the possible destruction of F-16 or Mirage fighter jets, stated National Guard reserve major Oleksii Hetman in a comment to RBC-Ukraine’s YouTube channel.
However, he emphasized that there is no evidence of any aircraft losses, and the information about the presence of aircraft could be disinformation for the enemy.
"If it’s just the runway being hit — it’s unpleasant, but it can be repaired fairly quickly," Hetman noted.
According to him, the aircraft Ukraine is preparing to receive, including Mirage and F-16 jets, are not based in a single location, and often are not even present in Ukraine. If necessary, maintenance or servicing can be carried out abroad — in Poland, Romania, or other partner countries.
The expert explained that the aircraft are constantly being relocated both within Ukraine and beyond its borders. In addition, special shelters have been prepared to make it difficult for the enemy to discover the exact location of the aircraft.
"It is quite difficult for the enemy to find exactly where these aircraft are located," he said, adding that the Russian side likely acted based on false information or deliberate disinformation from the Ukrainian side.
Commenting on rumors about destroyed aircraft, the expert emphasized: "We haven’t heard about the loss of any of our jets. And I don’t think something like that would be kept secret."
He also noted that even in the event of an aircraft loss, official sources usually provide several possible explanations for the crash, such as debris from a Shahed drone or friendly fire. But the fact of the loss itself is not concealed.
"We can’t do that. The whole world is watching how we communicate information. And we don’t have the right to lie blatantly like the Russians do," Hetman concluded.
Ukraine was under attack on the night of July 9
Last night, Ukraine was attacked by more than 700 kamikaze drones, along with Iskander-K cruise missiles and Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles.
According to Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one of the main targets for the enemy was an airfield.
Most of the strikes were directed at Lutsk. The city was hit by four Kinzhal missiles. President Zelenskyy called the Russian strike a demonstrative attack.
