Syrsky: Ukraine needs more attack aircraft for offensive operations

Ukraine needs more military aircraft to conduct combat operations, such as American A-10 attack aircraft to support infantry, as well as aircraft capable of launching long-range cruise missiles.

Source. This was stated by the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi in an interview with Reuters.

"I would talk about the A-10 as one of the options if they are given to us... This is not a new machine, but a reliable one that has proven itself in many wars, has a wide range of weapons to destroy ground targets to help the infantry," Syrsky said.

He noted that the A-10 will provide crucial support to ground forces trying to seize the initiative.

"It is designed to destroy ground targets: tanks, artillery – everything that opposes the infantry," the commander said.

Syrsky added that attack helicopters, such as the AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Super Cobra, as well as the UH-60 Black Hawk, could also play an important role.

He noted that Russian troops are back on the offensive in some areas in eastern Ukraine, and are continuously attacking in several areas of the front, while Ukrainian forces are launching small counterattacks.

"This is an active defense, when we are not just sitting on the defensive, but constantly counterattacking, and in some areas we are going on the offensive. And the enemy knows this," Syrsky said.

In addition to calling for more aircraft, Ukraine has asked its allies to speed up the supply of artillery ammunition, which some units complain is in short supply.

While drones are increasingly influencing the battlefield, artillery is a mainstay for both armies, and Ukraine has to balance the use of different caliber shells depending on available supplies.

"We have gained experience in this matter and are adapting to our daily realities," said Syrsky.

Asked whether the tide of the war could turn in Ukraine's favor, he said:

"I think there are always chances. We just need to find them and use them."

He added that it is "impossible" for Russia to build a solid defense everywhere and that there are always weaknesses due to the landscape and other factors.

Background. To recap, the day before, Zelenskyy said that thanks to the Western weapons received, the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down 26 helicopters and 12 airplanes in a day. If the partners had given Ukraine seven such systems, people in Kharkiv, Kherson, and Odesa would not have died, he emphasized.