In an interview with Politico, one Ukrainian officer emphasized that every weapon is effective in its time. "F-16 fighter jets were badly needed in 2023. For the conditions of 2024, they are no longer suitable," he explained. The officer added that the AFU has been facing the problem of getting the necessary equipment in time since the beginning of the invasion.
Referring to Zaluzhny's words, the officer emphasized that the use of weapons can be characterized as a "war of one chance". This means that the latest weapons systems quickly lose effectiveness as Russia promptly finds ways to counter them.
The soldier cited the use of Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles provided by the United Kingdom and France. They demonstrated high efficiency at the initial stage, but their successful use was short-lived. "The Russians are always learning. They do not give us a second chance and in this they succeed," the AFU officer emphasized.
At the current stage, the Ukrainian army is most in need of weapons and drones, not F-16 fighter jets, which the West plans to deliver by the end of the year. "We need howitzers and shells, hundreds of thousands of shells and rockets," said one soldier. He estimated that about 4 million shells and 2 million drones are needed to effectively counter the occupiers. In addition, there is an acute shortage of personnel on the front line.
