“It needs to be taken normally”: Ignat reveals the truth about losses and combat effectiveness of F-16 fighters
In previous statements and interviews, Ukrainian military officials increasingly provide frank and balanced assessments of the situation on the front line. Specifically, the head of the Air Force Command’s communications department, Colonel Yurii Ignat, detailed the current losses of the Ukrainian aviation corps and the capabilities of the latest F-16 fighter jets that the Ukrainian army received as part of international military aid. He also explained how these fighters operate in modern combat conditions and why they remain an important element of resistance despite losses. In his interview with "Ukrainska Pravda," Ignat confirmed that during active hostilities, three Ukrainian F-16 fighters have been lost. At the same time, he emphasized that such losses are quite natural in modern warfare, considering the high intensity of hostilities and the complex tasks Ukrainian pilots are tasked with. "We have seen reports of losses — this needs to be perceived adequately. There’s no need to panic, because under these conditions, it’s entirely normal. We must understand that war is not a leisurely walk—it is a high-tech conflict where losses are inevitable. Currently, we are working to increase our potential, and these losses are part of that process," Ignat explained, highlighting the importance of maintaining morale and a sense of future prospects. It is worth noting that Ukrainian specialists received the newest F-16 fighters not from new aircraft manufacturing plants, but from aircraft that had been previously operated, undergone appropriate upgrades, and maintenance. According to Ignat, even in this condition, these aircraft demonstrate significantly higher combat effectiveness compared to the weapons Ukrainian Air Forces used earlier — from Soviet times. This allows reducing the gap in combat proficiency and increasing Ukrainian pilots’ chances in confrontations with the enemy. The defender adds that the successful use of fighters depends not only on the platform itself but also on technical capabilities, including radar systems and armament. “An aircraft is just a platform. What really matters is what systems are installed on it. This includes radar or active targeting heads that can detect targets at long distances, and missiles that can fly far and hit accurately. At the final stage — launch the missile and then forget about it. Sensor systems should independently detect and target threats, operate in a soft mode,” Ignat explains. At the same time, he acknowledged that Russia currently maintains a strategic advantage in target detection range and battle management — its systems can track targets much farther away and launch missiles with greater destructive capabilities than modern Ukrainian equivalents. “We see the difference in radar and armament range which currently gives the enemy some advantage. Moreover, Russian aviation operates in close coordination with powerful air defense systems, complicating Ukrainian aviation’s tasks,” Ignat noted. Another crucial characteristic that is clearly taken into account at command centers is the ratio of forces and the number of combat aircraft. According to the officer, until recently, the ratio of Ukrainian to Russian aircraft in the air was approximately 1 to 10 against Ukrainian forces. This means that Ukrainians were outnumbered in fighters and secondary weaponry and had to use every opportunity to oppose the enemy as effectively as possible. Ignat draws an analogy between technical advantages and pilot combat skill: “The difference between Ukrainian pilots and Russian ones is roughly the same as between a Makarov pistol and a sniper rifle. Although the weapon characteristics differ significantly, Ukrainian pilots have proven that victory is not determined solely by weapons but by skill and tactics,” he emphasizes. He also adds that Ukrainian pilots continue to give the enemy a worthy fight despite difficult conditions and the enemy’s numerical superiority. At the same time, the expert states that acquiring F-16s for Ukrainian aviation is an important step in a long and complex process of modernization and strengthening Ukraine’s defense potential. “These aircraft are not a panacea, but they open up new possibilities, bolster our aviation and enable us to respond more effectively to enemy aggression. It’s important to understand that war involves not only technology but also the professionalism of pilots and command,” Ignat concluded. In summary, Ukrainian forces confidently move along the path of adapting to new challenges, acknowledging the importance of every loss and successful operation, and striving to utilize all available means to achieve victory. The changes in combat aviation, particularly the introduction of F-16 fighters, give hope for more effective and modern protection of Ukrainian skies, even amid the severe trials and losses faced by Ukrainian defenders in their current arduous struggle for independence and territorial integrity.