Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine says it busted a Russian spy ring that was gathering information about its F-16s (newsbreak.com)
Ukrainian authorities have thwarted a Russian spy ring attempting to gather intelligence on Ukraine’s newly acquired F-16 fighter jets.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) revealed that the spy network was targeting military airfields, air-defense systems, and electronic warfare companies.
The group’s leader has been apprehended, while other members have been indicted for treason and unauthorized disclosure of military information.
The SBU operation exposed 12 Russian agents and informants, some of whom were Ukrainian military deserters recruited by Russia.
The F-16s, provided by Western allies, are the most advanced jets in Ukraine’s arsenal, posing a significant military and propaganda threat to Russia.
Despite the F-16s’ potential, experts note that Ukraine lacks sufficient numbers to make a decisive impact and cannot use them offensively without additional aircraft.
The F-16s being supplied to Ukraine are older models and less capable than Russia’s top-tier jets and the advanced planes used by Ukraine’s allies.