The Ukrainian armed forces have increased the size of their aircraft fleet after receiving spare parts and repairing damaged planes, the US military said.
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Ukraine was able to keep its air force operational and repair aircraft and apparently increase its inventory almost two months after the Russian invasion began.
On Tuesday, US Armed Forces spokesman John Kirby said Ukraine had received additional aircraft and parts, but clarified on Wednesday that no aircraft had been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces so far.
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Kyiv has repeatedly asked warplanes to help fend off invading Russian forces.
“I made a mistake saying in the past tense that they received a whole plane. I regret the mistake,” Kirby said on Wednesday.
1 of 1 Ukrainian military plane shot down south of Kyiv on February 24, 2022 — Photo: Handout/Ukrainian Emergency Service/Via AFP
Ukrainian military plane shot down south of Kyiv on February 24, 2022 Photo: Handout/Ukrainian Emergency Service/Via AFP
“However, through US coordination and supplies, the Ukrainians have received enough spare parts and additional equipment to be able to put more aircraft into service in their fleet than two or three weeks ago.”
The US announced plans to transfer Russianmade helicopters to Ukraine for use in Afghanistan.
After more than 50 days of war, the skies over Ukraine are still partly contested, due to Ukraine’s aircraft fleet and air defenses, including shoulderlaunched manportable surfacetoair missiles provided by the US and its allies.
This allowed Ukraine to conduct a much more effective ground campaign than if Russia had air dominance and could defend its invading forces from the air.