Strana 23
This is just a fraction of the damage caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities during the reporting period. The photos were published by the Ukrainian emergency
services. Their personnel are often targeted in so-called "double-tap" strikes — intentional follow-up attacks on the same civilian location, meant to kill rescue workers.
have proven very effective. France announced
it will produce and deliver 1,200 of these
bombs to Ukraine this year, compared to
830 last year. Currently, France delivers about
50 AASM Hammer bombs monthly. With a range
of ~70 km thanks to rocket propulsion, they’re
also resistant to Russian jamming attempts.
The Netherlands delivered the last of
24 promised F-16s to Ukraine during this
period. Norway, which originally pledged six,
increased its donation to 14, some of which
have already arrived. The rest will follow by
year’s end. Denmark pledged and delivered
19 jets first. Belgium is behind on its 30
promised aircraft, awaiting the introduction
of U.S. F-35s. Belgium confirmed it will supply
some retired F-16s for parts this year and
begin delivering combat aircraft next year.
F-16s are of critical value to Ukraine. Due to
a shortage of air defense missiles, Ukraine
must increasingly use fighter jets to defend
cities. Austrian military expert Tom Cooper
noted that Ukrainian pilots often take off
twice per night. The fighters can shoot down
kamikaze drones and cruise missiles — though
it’s risky. Ukraine lost its third F-16 during this
period. The first was lost last year, likely to
friendly fire. The second was shot down in
April, probably by a Russian S-400. Both pilots
were killed.
Aircraft Losses
The latest F-16 loss occurred on Friday,
May 16, at 3:30 a.m. The pilot was intercepting
Russian cruise missiles, destroyed three,
and engaged a fourth with his cannon when
he reported an emergency. He steered the
aircraft away from populated areas and
ejected successfully. A rescue team found
and evacuated him quickly. The cause is under
investigation, but reports suggest debris
from the missile he engaged might have hit
the plane — similar incidents have previously
destroyed Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s.
Besides this F-16, Ukraine lost only the
civilian aircraft during the period. Around
May 23, Russia struck an agricultural airfield
at Kyslychuvata in Dnipropetrovsk region
with a ballistic missile, destroying three
An-2 biplanes. This was a pointless attack —
satellite images show the planes hadn’t moved
since the war began and likely weren’t flight-
capable.
The Military Watch site published images of
Russian drone damage to a civilian aeroclub
hangar at Zhytomyr airfield (120 km west
of Kyiv) — an April 27, 2025, strike. Three or
four propeller driven planes were destroyed,
and five to six others damaged. Destroyed
aircraft included Pipistrel Virus SW 100
(UR
-
HUNT), Flight Design CTSW (UR
-
GIK),
UKRAINE
INFO Eduard
23
July 2025