Commander Syrski advocates for A-10s and long-range capabilities amidst russian aggression

Ukraine requires additional military aircraft for combat operations on the front, including the American A-10 attack aircraft for infantry support and planes capable of firing long-range cruise missiles. This announcement was made by the commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrski, in an interview with Reuters.

Regarding aviation for the war in Ukraine, Syrski stated, “I would talk about the A-10 as an option if they gave us… it's not a new machine, but it's a reliable aircraft that has proven itself in many wars and has a wide range of weapons to destroy ground targets to assist infantry”. The A-10 Thunderbolt is a subsonic attack aircraft manufactured in the United States and has been in service since the 1970s.

Syrski emphasized that the A-10 would provide critical support to ground forces attempting to seize the initiative from the enemy. “This is intended to destroy ground targets: tanks, artillery… anything that opposes the infantry”, he explained. Additionally, Syrski mentioned that attack helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Super Cobra, as well as the UH-60 Black Hawk, could play important roles.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has urged allies to provide more sophisticated weapons and munitions, including armored vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles, and F-16 fighter jets. The first F-16 aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine in 2024.

Regarding the possibility of breaking through the front, Syrski noted that the fighting remains intense. He added that Russian troops are continually attacking several areas of the front, and Ukrainian forces are carrying out small counterattacks.

"This is an active defense when we don't just sit on the defensive but constantly counterattack and, in some directions, go on the offensive. And the enemy is aware of it"
Oleksandr Syrski said.

In response to the question of whether a turning point in the war in favor of Ukraine is possible, the commander replied that, in his opinion, there is always a chance; one just has to find and seize those opportunities. He added that Russia cannot establish a solid defense everywhere and that there will always be weak spots due to the landscape and other factors.

Regarding the transfer of the F-16 to Ukraine, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced on May 19 the United States' readiness to consent to the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters.

US Presidential Adviser on National Security Jake Sullivan stated that the United States may consent to the transfer of combat aircraft, particularly the F-16, to Ukraine, provided they will not be used for attacks on US territory or the Russian Federation.