• SpaceCowboy@lemmy.ca
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      5 months ago

      It’s basically impossible to keep something like this a secret. The pilots have been in training a long time and they’re not just sending planes, but also the means to maintain them.

      Besides there are dangers in keeping it secret. Having F-16s suddenly doing attack runs on the Russian military out of nowhere could result in the Kremlin coming to the wrong conclusions.

  • sunzu@kbin.run
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    5 months ago

    Great, I doubt they will fly combat missions this year though. Hopefully Ukraine can start challenging the airspace in earnest tin 2025.

    • BassTurd@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Why do you believe they won’t do combat missions this year? I have no perspective on this so truly a genuine question. I know there has been training for a bit now, so I figured that would make pilots combat ready and I assumed they’re already have been planning for the arrival to be ready.

      • Pilferjinx@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I think it would be wise to wait until they have the initiative again so they can combine all efforts with greater effect and safety. Ukraine’s last offensive was a wash because of the fortified line and mines which slowed them down enough to be easy pickings for Russian air attacks.