Ukraine eventually to receive warplanes from allies - defense minister

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov addressed the issue in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.

"Now our key task with our partners is to provide us with spare parts, maintenance, repair, and ammunition for the systems we’ve received: from sniper rifles to HIMARS and tanks. As for warplanes, I am sure we will get this issue resolved," claims Reznikov.

When asked whether it could happen as early as this year, the minister answered that the practicality factor plays a role in this regard.

"This is the factor I was talking about – practicality. Warplanes are the most expensive systems. Accordingly, it’s providing warplanes, then maintaining them, plus missiles and bombs for them – this is all really costly. Therefore, when making a decision, one needs to understand whether everyone is ready to sign up for that. We signed the tanks and now we see: some give us four, some send in six units... It’s not 200 or 300," explained Reznikov.

The head of the Ministry of Defense noted that the key player is the USA. "They are very pragmatic and they do count their money."

"And it's normal, it's viable. Because we have partners who gave us something, and then they say: we can't serve you further, we don't have the resources so if you want any, please buy. It's also fair... And the same applies to warplanes. Once everything’s calculated to see who is ready to give them to us, and how many units we’re talking about, and whether they’ll be properly maintained, then the decision will be made," concluded Reznikov.

The minister also addressed some questions about the Ukrainian counteroffensive plans

"I really hope that it will happen unexpectedly for you, too. Because this is the sense of a military operation – no one should know that it has started. The longer the enemy remains oblivious, the more likely it achieves success," he said.

At the same time, the minister noted that everyone will understand from the news reports that the long-awaited counteroffensive has been launched.

At the same time, the defense chief agreed that expectations of a counteroffensive are somewhat overrated. They are fueled by Ukrainian society, politicians, or the West. "It’s both. It's definitely overrated as everyone wants another victory. Before, they didn't believe in victory. Before, they wanted Ukraine to survive at least somehow, at a minimum level, so that at least some part of Ukraine would be preserved. And when the Armed Forces achieved success, everyone began to believe in victory – after Snake Island, after Kyiv region, Chernihiv region, Sumy region, Kharkiv region, and Kherson. They want our next victory. It's normal, these are all people’s emotions – expectation of success," he added.