Ukraine's F-16 Fighters Cannot Effectively Counter Russian Glide Bombs, Analyst Says

US-supplied F-16 fighter jets are unable to provide an effective solution to Russia’s use of guided glide bombs against Ukrainian forces, according to Ukrainian military analyst Taras Chmut.

Chmut argued that deploying F-16s to intercept Russian glide bombs would expose the aircraft to serious threats from Russian Su-35 fighters operating in support of strike aircraft.

He warned that sending Ukrainian fighters on such missions could result in further aircraft losses, noting that Ukraine has already lost F-16s during the conflict.

According to the analyst, the arrival of American-made fighters does not mean Ukraine can use them effectively for every combat mission. He identified the range of Russian air-to-air missiles as a major obstacle.

Chmut said Russia possesses long-range missiles capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 300 kilometers, allowing Russian aircraft to threaten Ukrainian fighters without approaching them directly.

He also highlighted the capabilities of Russia’s S-400 air defense systems, which, according to his assessment, can receive targeting information from the radars of Russian fighter jets.

The combination of long-range missiles, fighter aircraft and ground-based air defenses makes it difficult for Ukraine to establish a reliable method of countering Russian aviation on a daily basis, he argued.

Chmut acknowledged that Ukrainian forces could occasionally organize ambushes or move Patriot air defense systems closer to the front line. However, he said such operations would involve considerable risks, particularly for pilots, while shortages of Patriot interceptor missiles would further limit their effectiveness.

He maintained that these measures would not resolve the underlying problem.

Asked whether French or Swedish fighter jets might offer a better alternative to the F-16, Chmut said their effectiveness would depend on the availability and quantity of long-range missiles, as well as whether those weapons could deliver their advertised performance.

He warned that even a 50-kilometer range disadvantage compared with Russian missiles could be decisive, enabling Russian aircraft to keep Ukrainian fighters at a distance and restrict their operations.