Russian guided bombs became real problem for Ukraine: Ihnat's solutions
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Getty Images)
The threat of Russian guided aerial bombs poses a significant challenge for Ukraine, with occupiers targeting defender positions and frontline areas, disclosed spokesperson of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yurii Ihnat and the spokesperson of the Unified Press Center of the Defense Forces of the Tavria direction Oleksandr Shtupun on a telethon.
Ihnat highlighted that just six months ago, there were only a few instances of guided aerial bomb launches, but now the occupiers can release up to a hundred in a single day, particularly in the southern regions of Ukraine.
"The KAB may not be the most accurate, but it's a 500 kg bomb with a significant explosive payload, making it a formidable weapon for mass strikes. We're witnessing about a hundred bomb drops daily, making it a genuine problem, and we're not saying this lightly to the citizens," he emphasized.
According to Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the Tavria region, occupiers employ guided bombs in front-line territories, as Russian aircraft cannot penetrate the Ukrainian air defense zone.
"We successfully counter attack aircrafts and helicopters, like Ka-52 and Mi-24, as soon as they enter our air defense range. Exploiting the limitation of air defense at longer distances, Russian Su-35 and Su-34 drop guided aerial bombs about 50-70 km behind the line of combat engagement, taking advantage of this gap," explained the spokesperson.
Ignat believes that the F-16 fighter, which Ukraine will receive from its partners, can help in countering guided bombs. These planes are well-equipped to effectively neutralize Russian aviation.
"This is also a message to our Western partners that we urgently need weapons, long-range air defense systems, and F-16s capable of countering Russian aircraft," added the Air Force spokesperson.
F-16 for Ukraine
It's worth noting that some allies, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway, have committed to providing at least 61 F-16 units. Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training on the F-16 in multiple countries, with pilots in Denmark already getting hands-on experience.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that F-16 fighters alone might not fundamentally alter the situation on the Ukrainian battlefield. He suggested using these aircraft in conjunction with HIMARS, missiles, and other air defense systems for a more comprehensive defense strategy.
