Increased number of missile strikes indicates that Russia considers F-16s in Ukraine threatening – Estonian Defence Intelligence

According to Estonian Defence Intelligence, the increased number of Russia's missile attacks on Ukrainian targets suggests that Moscow views the arrival of F-16 fighters there as a threat.

Source: Colonel Ants Kiviselg, the commander of the Estonian Defence Forces' intelligence centre, at a briefing on 12 January, reports European Pravda with reference to ERR

Details: Kiviselg noted that Russia has been actively using long-range bombers and Kalibr missiles in recent weeks to strike Ukrainian military, defence industry and infrastructure facilities.

"All over the country, hits have been made on ports, electricity and railway infrastructure, military airfields, weapons and ammunition depots and military training facilities as well as defence industry enterprises engaged in the production and repair of weapons," Kiviselg said.

According to the Estonian Defence Intelligence chief, the intensification of Russian attacks on Ukrainian airfields "indicates that the Russians consider the arrival of F-16s in Ukraine's arsenal as dangerous".

Kiviselg claims that Russian tactics involve overwhelming Ukraine's air defence system. Since Russia currently produces more ammunition than it uses, he thinks more large-scale attacks can be expected as the cold weather approaches.

Ukrainian pilots are being or will be trained in Romania, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. Six Ukrainians completed their basic training in the UK, including English language training, before Christmas.

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