Explosions reverberated across the pre-dawn sky as Ukrainian air defenses fended off a Russian attack on this small city in western Ukraine, home to an important air base and a frequent target of Moscow's strikes. Hours after the assault, the tidy streets of Starokostiantyniv had returned to a semblance of normality. But the June 27 attack was a stark reminder of the challenges Kyiv faces as it rebuilds its depleted air force and deploys the first U.S.
The first planes are expected to arrive this month, and Ukraine hopes they will boost forces struggling to repel a Russian onslaught along the front line, which includes devastating glide bombs that F-16s could potentially disrupt. Officials have not revealed where the F-16s will be based, but Moscow said after the strike on Starokostiantyniv last Thursday that it had targeted airfields it believed would house them.
In short, it's 'fun' to live here,' said city official and local culture expert Vasyl Muliar with a wry smile, speaking after the recent attack. A Ukrainian air force spokesman said the strikes presented 'certain difficulties', but would not undermine the delivery of F-16s or their use in battle. Separately on Tuesday, Russia's defense ministry said it had destroyed five Ukrainian SU-27 fighter jets at Myrhorod airfield in Poltava region.
After last Thursday's attack, Governor Serhiy Tyurin said air defenses had destroyed nine targets over his region. Shortly before it, the air force had warned residents that drones were headed toward Starokostiantyniv. Local residents, careful not to divulge what might be considered sensitive military information, described living under the threat of being struck and amid the frequent roar of Ukrainian warplanes in the skies above.
As in many other towns and cities across Ukraine, people appeared eager to project a sense of resilience despite the danger of war and inconvenience of frequent power outages caused by Russian attacks on the energy system. Road works continued as jets streaked overhead, while families and groups of teenagers cooled off at the local beach. When she travels around Ukraine, Sapchuk said, she found it hard to cope without the noise of airplanes.
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