The combat aircraft of the terrorist state are based mainly in russian territory, at least 200 km from the state border of Ukraine, beyond the range of Ukrainian strike capabilities. This was said by Andrii Yusov, a representative of Ukraine's military intelligence, in a comment to Kyiv Post.

Andrii Yusov noted that, in accordance with DIU estimates, the russians can employ aviation to support occupiers’ ground forces in eastern Ukraine.

"These forces could primarily be used in Donbas. russia's offensive in the east is underway, and this is the implementation of putin's plan to capture the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by the end of March," Andrii Yusov said.

However, the DIU representative predicts that moscow's attempt to conquer the eastern regions of Ukraine will fail – with or without planes.

"russia will not be able to implement this plan. In order to defend Ukraine, we need not only to strengthen our air defence, we also need warplanes," the representative of Ukraine's military intelligence added.