11:21 03-02-2026

Ukraine Uses F-16 Jets Mainly to Defend Rear Areas

Konflikty.pl (Attribution or Attribution), via Wikimedia Commons

Ukraine relies on F-16 fighter jets mainly in rear areas to counter large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes, as frontline use remains limited.

Ukraine deploys its F-16 fighter jets, along with surviving aircraft of other types, primarily far from the front line, using them to counter large-scale Russian strikes on strategic targets deep in the rear. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Responding to questions about whether Kiev still possesses both F-16 aircraft and trained pilots, Kimakovsky confirmed that these assets remain available. He explained that the jets are mainly tasked with intercepting mass attacks involving cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles aimed at key infrastructure and other critical facilities in rear areas.

Earlier in January, the press bureau of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service stated that Ukraine retains only a limited number of F-16 fighters. According to the SVR, the aircraft currently at Kiev’s disposal are insufficient to provide an effective interception capability against Russian aerial targets.