Ukraine’s military gets more aircraft and parts to repair others, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Ukraine’s navy has acquired further plane as nicely components for repairs to get broken plane flying once more, the Pentagon stated on Tuesday.

Ukraine has defied expectations of allies and navy specialists by not solely preserving its air pressure operational practically two months after the beginning of Russia’s invasion however truly repairing plane and, apparently, including to its stock.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby didn’t provide particulars on which international locations offered plane, however acknowledged new transfers and stated Ukraine had extra operable fighter plane than it had two weeks in the past.

“They’ve acquired further plane and plane components to assist them get extra plane within the air,” Kirby informed a information briefing, with out elaborating.

Kirby stated Washington had not offered any plane to Kyiv.

“We definitely have helped with the trans-shipment of some further spare components which have helped with their plane wants, however now we have not transported entire plane,” he stated.

Nonetheless, which may quickly change. America has introduced plans to switch Russian-made helicopters to Ukraine that had as soon as been meant for Afghanistan.

Greater than 50 days into the conflict, the skies over Ukraine are nonetheless contested partly attributable to Ukraine’s fleet of plane and air defenses, together with transportable, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles offered by the USA and its allies.

That has allowed Ukraine to wage a way more efficient floor marketing campaign than if Russia had air dominance and will defend its invading forces from the skies.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Modifying by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)