The commander of the ground forces of Ukraine said today that Kiev it needs more military aircraft for its war effort, such as US A-10 fighters to support the infantry and aircraft that could launch long-range cruise missiles.

Colonel Oleksandr Sirsky gave an exclusive interview to Reuters from a secret location in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, which borders western Russia.

“I want to talk about the A-10s as an option if they give us them…this is not a new machine, but a reliable machine that has been tested in many wars and has a wide arsenal to destroy ground targets and support infantry“, said the 58-year-old, wearing a combat uniform.

The A-10 Thunderbolt is a subsonic attack aircraft produced in the United States and in service since the 1970s.

Sirski’s call for more aircraft comes as a major new package of US military aid to Kiev is delayed by infighting among lawmakers.

Sirski said the A-10s will provide critical support to ground forces trying to seize the initiative against a well-equipped enemy.

“It’s for destroying ground targets: tanks, artillery … anything that opposes infantry“, he said.

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

Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kiev has been pressing Western allies to supply it with highly sophisticated weapons and munitions including armored vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets.

The first F-16 fighters are expected to arrive in Ukraine later in 2024although their effect in the war may be limited by the strength of the Russian air force.

There are still “possibilities” for progress

Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive last summer that failed to significantly disrupt Russian forces, in part because in the east and south of the country they were entrenched behind trenches and other defensive lines.

Moscow’s forces at this time have again begun to attack some parts of the eastern country, where heavy fighting is taking place, Sirsky said.

He added that Russian forces continue to attack several parts of the front, with Ukrainian forces carrying out small counterattacks.

“This is an active defense where we don’t just sit on the defensive but actually counter-attack and in some directions go on the attack,” he said. “And the enemy knows this».

In addition to calls for more aircraft, Ukraine has asked allies to expedite supplies of artillery ammunition, which some units have complained are in short supply.

While drones are increasingly influential on the battlefield, artillery is a mainstay for both armies, and Ukraine must balance the use of projectiles of various calibers based on available supply.

“We have developed a know-how with it and adapt to our daily reality” said Sirski.

Despite the near stalemate along a front roughly 1,000 kilometers long, Sirsky, who oversaw the defense of Kiev in early 2022 and Ukraine’s blitzkrieg counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region later that year, said progress was not out of the question. future.

Asked if there could be a turning point in the pro-Ukraine war, he said:There are always possibilities. You just have to find them and use them».

He added that it is “impossible” for Russia to build a strong defense and that there have always been weak points due to terrain and other factors.