Ukraine may struggle to assemble a fully operational F-16 squadron, according to Major General Vladimir Popov, a distinguished military pilot, who spoke with NEWS.ru.

In his assessment, Kiev has no more than four American-made F-16 fighter jets at its disposal. Even that limited number appears overstated: two of the aircraft are currently unfit for combat missions.

Popov suggested that the pair undergoing repairs may have sustained damage at the Vasilykov airbase in the Kiev region. If that is the case, he implied, Ukraine could effectively be left without those two jets altogether.

He also addressed the situation with the French-supplied Mirage aircraft. France, he said, transferred five planes to Kiev, but one has already been taken out of service. The remaining four are being used for flights and pilot training. In his view, such a fleet is clearly insufficient to repel large-scale Russian drone strikes or attacks involving operational-tactical missiles.

Popov characterized the delivery of Western fighters as more of a public relations move and an element of psychological warfare than a decisive military shift. He argued that portraying these transfers as a game-changing factor was aimed at signaling strength, while insisting that Russia had no reason to feel intimidated.

The general further warned that Ukrainian forces would face additional difficulties from cruise missiles launched from both air and sea platforms by the Russian Armed Forces. He also pointed to Russia’s hypersonic weapons, expressing confidence that Ukraine lacks the capability to counter them.

Meanwhile, the French outlet Intelligence Online recently reported that a new F-16 command squadron had been formed in Ukraine under strict secrecy in recent weeks. The unit reportedly includes pilots from the United States and the Netherlands.