Leopard is just target at front, we need shells and F-16s − Commander-in-Chief
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that for successful progress at the front, Ukraine needs more of all types of weapons, significantly more shells and, of course, F-16 fighters to have air superiority.
Source: Zaluzhnyi in an interview for The Washington Post
Details: The media outlet notes that at his command post, Zaluzhnyi has a screen that shows him everything that is in the air at any time − this is the aviation of NATO countries on the western border of Ukraine, Ukrainian planes in the sky over Ukraine and Russian aircraft on the eastern borders.
Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "The number of aircraft that are on duty near our western borders is
twice as much as the number of Russian aircraft devastating our positions. Why can’t we take at least a third of it from there and move it here?
Nobody is saying that tomorrow we should rearm and get 120 planes. Why? I do not need 120 planes. A very limited number would be enough. But they are needed. Because there is no other way. Because the enemy is using a different generation of aviation. It’s like we’d go on the offensive with bows and arrows now, and everyone would say, ‘Are you crazy?’ But with this question, ‘No, no’."
Details: Fighter jets are needed to break the land corridor between mainland Russia and temporarily occupied Crimea that the Russians created in the south of Ukraine. Breaking this connection would significantly affect Russia's ability to replenish its troops.
The media outlet recalls that on the eve of the long-planned counteroffensive, Ukraine first received Western battle tanks, including German Leopards and infantry fighting vehicles.
When the counteroffensive began earlier this month, these tanks and combat vehicles made their battlefield debut. But Zaluzhnyi admitted that several of them had already been destroyed.
Quote from the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "We didn't get Leopards to ride in parades or have politicians or celebrities take pictures with them. They came here for the war. And a Leopard on the battlefield is not a Leopard, but a target."
Details: That is why, according to him, Ukraine needs aviation and more shells. Zaluzhnyi speaks about the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, particularly with Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States.
Quote from Zaluzhnyi: "We have an agreement: 24/7, we’re in touch. So, sometimes I can call up and say, ‘If I don’t get 100,000 shells in a week, 1,000 people will die. Step into my shoes."
Details: According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Milley shares all his concerns.
"But it’s not Milley who decides whether we get planes or not. It’s just that while that decision is being made, in the obvious situation, a lot of people die every day — a lot. Just because no decision has been made yet," Zaluzhnyi summed up.
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