Propaganda vs. Pragmatism: Can US ATACMS Clear the way for F-16 Warplanes in Ukraine?

Update on the conflict in Ukraine for June 16, 2024…

– Western media reports the shortcomings of both F-16s and French Mirage 2000-5 warplanes being transferred to Ukraine;

– Attempts by Ukraine to use ATACMS to “isolate” Crimea continue to fall far short of the required frequency and scale necessary to actually do so;

– Western media reports admit that Russia’s large inventory of air defense systems will not run out any time soon despite Ukrainian claims of successfully targeting S-300 and S-400 systems across the battlefield;

– The idea of ATACMS clearing a path for F-16s to conduct strikes behind enemy lines is betrayed by the reality of even Ukraine’s much more limited air defense capabilities still preventing Russian air power from operating freely across the whole of Ukraine;

References:

Business Insider – Like the F-16, French Mirage 2000-5 fighters are good planes, but they aren’t the best Western jets for Ukraine (June 8, 2024):
https://www.businessinsider.com/mirag…

The Telegraph – Putin may be about to lose Crimea (June 11, 2024):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024…

UK Ministry of Defence (X) – Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 06 June 2024:
https://x.com/DefenceHQ/status/179863…

Forbes – Ukrainian ATACMS Rockets Are Blowing Up Russia’s Best S-400 Air Defenses As Fast As The S-400s Can Deploy To Crimea (June 12, 2024):
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe…

Globe and Mail (Canada) – Ukraine’s air force may keep some F-16 warplanes abroad to protect them from Russian strikes (June 10, 2024):
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world…

US Air Force – F-16 Fighting Falcon:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Shee….

NYT – U.S. to Send Another Patriot Missile Battery to Ukraine (June 11, 2024):
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/us…

Defense News – How Patriot proved itself in Ukraine and secured a fresh future (April 2024):
https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024…