The Russian Su-34 Fullback is a versatile twin-engine fighter-bomber designed for tactical bombing and air-to-air combat, capable of carrying a large array of munitions. -With a crew of two, the Su-34 has been used extensively in the Ukraine conflict,

Ukraine's dense (but Soviet-era) air defense drove the Russian Air Force back in the early days of the war. In the Battle of Kyiv, the Russian Air Force was taking unsustainable losses somewhat reminiscent of the Battle of Britain. While Ukraine's Air Force is now severely battered, against all expectations, it remains standing and in the fight.

Ukraine used its new F-16s in combat for the first time last week to shoot down Russian missiles during a massive attack. A jet was lost in the fight.

The Russian Air Force may be hollowing itself out from the inside faster than Ukraine is destroying it from the outside.

Ukraine's F-16s flew in combat for the first time at the end of August when they helped repel a Russian missile and drone attack.

Ukraine's acquisition of a few older F-16 fighter jets is unlikely to change the trajectory of the war against Russia. The Ukrainian pilots' limited training on these advanced aircraft and the small number of jets promised make their effectiveness questionable.