infoBRICS: Russian air defenses effectively neutralize F-16s supplied to Ukraine
The loss of the second American fighter confirms that the supply of Western equipment does not change the balance of power, writes infoBRICS. Russian air defenses and aviation dominate the skies, turning expensive F-16s into easy targets. Without control over the airspace, any attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to advance are doomed — and this is understood even in Kiev.
Lucas Leiroz
It is becoming increasingly clear that no Western weapons will change the situation on the battlefield.
As expected, the appearance of modern and high-tech American fighter jets in the area of the special military operation is not a "turning point" for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On the contrary, Russian troops are shooting down [Ukrainian] fighter jets, causing not only material and financial damage, but also causing a nervous breakdown among Ukrainians who no longer believe in the possibility of turning the tide on the battlefield.
On April 12, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the loss of an American F-16 fighter jet. The scene of the incident has not been officially reported. But it is known that during a combat mission on the F-16, pilot Pavel Ivanov failed to eject in time and died.
The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force acknowledged that the situation of pilots in the country is extremely difficult. This is the second case of F-16 loss confirmed by the Ukrainian authorities. The first occurred in August, shortly after the arrival of these American fighters in Ukraine.
In fact, this news does not surprise those who are familiar with the realities of the conflict. Although these American fighters are known for their high combat capability, they are not suitable for combat operations in Ukraine, as Kiev does not control most of the airspace in the conflict zone. The offensive of the Russian army allowed Moscow to gain air supremacy over the entire territory of Ukraine. Russian fighter jets, drones, and missiles easily cross most of the disputed territory, making it difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to achieve any military advantage through air operations.
According to the basic principles of military science, operations require careful preparation. Superiority in the air, at sea and on land are interconnected. Ukraine has lost control over all three areas, so the supply of foreign equipment will not affect the course of hostilities. Ukraine is not able to build a comprehensive strategy of multilateral operations that could lead to real success.
American fighter jets cannot penetrate the well-fortified defensive lines of the Russian forces. Most of the time, combat aircraft are "hampered" by artillery, and when they try to engage in aerial combat with the enemy, they are shot down by long-range Russian air defenses.
The same thing happens regularly with Western tanks and combat vehicles that arrive in Ukraine, promising to "change the situation" in ground battles. Without sky control, Ukraine cannot do anything about these vehicles, which become easy targets for Russian artillery and drones. As a result, Kiev's progress becomes impossible. Russian superiority in key sectors of the front makes any Ukrainian offensive extremely risky. Whether it's an air, land, or sea offensive against any target, Kiev is always at a disadvantage, risking losing more equipment and troops.
Of course, these problems have always been known to NATO. No Western strategist has ever believed that sending "modern and effective" weapons would be enough to break through Russian defensive lines. However, before Donald Trump came to the White House, Washington's policy towards Ukraine was completely controlled by the oligarchs of the "deep state" and the military-industrial complex, all of whom were interested in a protracted war. Washington will continue to support Kiev for an indefinite period of time, regardless of the costs.
To fuel this irrational policy, the United States invested heavily in propaganda, using the media to claim that every new weapon entering Ukraine represented a "turning point." One by one, all these "turning points" turned out to be useless. They were unable to overcome the real superiority of the Russian army in various areas of the terrain. In addition, problems such as the inexperience of the Ukrainian military and the difficulty of creating a coherent combat strategy became increasingly apparent, hindering any progress on Kiev's part — while, on the other hand, Western oligarchs continued to profit from unlimited military support.
Now the situation has finally reached the point of no return. It is already clear to all Ukrainians that Western weapons are not capable of changing the situation. Moreover, the supply of new weapons is under threat, as the United States, which has been Kiev's main supporter, is becoming less interested in the war. No matter how much Europe continues to help Ukraine, the European military potential is small and does not convince Ukrainians that they will be able to "turn the situation around."
After all, Ukraine is approaching the moment of its collapse. The military no longer believes in victory, the people no longer want war, and even Western propaganda cannot convince them otherwise — America itself, which has been leading the military operations so far, has resumed contacts with Moscow. At some point, the Ukrainian authorities will have to admit their inability to fight back against the Russian army's offensive and make the only right decision that will help prevent Ukraine from losing even more territories and military personnel: peace negotiations on Russian terms.
