**Ukraine’s Desperate Gamble: Using Rare F-16 Jets to Counter Russian Advance**
The situation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly dire. Russia has amassed 50,000 troops near the border city of Sumy, which has a pre-war population of 250,000. In response, Ukraine’s air force is taking a bold risk by sending its small fleet of ex-European F-16 jets to drop American-made glide bombs on Russian regiments.
**Russia’s Advancing Forces**
For months, Russia has been pushing its advantage on the northern front of their wider war on Ukraine. The city of Kursk in western Russia has seen an elite Russian drone group cut the supply lines feeding the Ukrainian force, ultimately leading to the retreat of Ukrainian troops after a six-month battle. Now, there are no fewer than 50,000 Russian troops in Kursk, while Ukrainian brigades holding the line in Sumy have many fewer troops.
**Ukraine’s Reinforcements and Risks**
The arrival of reinforcements, including the elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade, has helped to slow the Russian advance along the front line between Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar. However, this has come at a cost, with some border villages in Sumy already lost to Russian forces. The city of Sumy itself is now under threat, just 30 kilometers from the border.
**Ukrainian Air Power Steps In**
As Ukrainian ground forces are stretched thin defending against separate Russian offensives in the north and east, their air power is taking on a more prominent role. Ukraine’s air force has received just a few dozen of the 85 American-built F-16 fighters from European surplus stocks. Three of these precious assets have been lost since August.
**Risking It All**
The Ukrainian air force is now sortieing its small fleet of F-16s to drop glide bombs on Russian forces in and around Kursk. This gamble is a desperate attempt to stem the tide of Russian advances, but it’s clear that Ukraine is running out of options. The pro-Ukraine Conflict Intelligence Team has noted F-16s lobbing US-supplied Small Diameter Bombs at Russian forces.
**The Situation in Sumy**
As Russia intensifies its offensive on the Sumy direction, Ukrainian ground forces are struggling to hold their ground. The Kursk group of forces is concentrating reserves in the border zone, attempting to break through between Yunakivka and Vodolahy. If Ukraine isn’t careful, they could lose not just these villages but also the city of Sumy itself.
**Conclusion**
Ukraine’s situation is becoming increasingly desperate. Their air force is taking a huge risk by sending its rare F-16 jets into battle. The stakes are high, but it’s clear that Ukraine has no other choice if they want to hold their ground against Russian advances.
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