Ukrainian air force bolsters defense with F‑16 fuselage delivery
The Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft delivered F-16 fighter fuselages to Poland from a base in the USA. We explain why and what exactly was delivered.
According to the Militarnyi portal, the Ukrainian An-124 Ruslan, owned by Antonov Airlines, transported F-16 fighter fuselages from the Davis-Monthan base in the USA to Poland. This base is the largest aircraft storage site in the world, where many aircraft can be restored to flight or used as spare parts.
The transportation of F-16 fuselages to Poland was organized to support the Ukrainian air force. The Rzeszów-Jasionka airport is the main logistical hub for military aid to Ukraine, and the delivered F-16 fuselages are most likely ADF versions. Photos of the loading of F-16 aircraft fuselages into the hold of Ruslan "Be Brave Like Kharkiv" (UR-82027) were published by HAULPRO TRANSPORT LLC.
Antonov An-124 Ruslan
The Antonov An-124 Ruslan "Be Brave Like Kharkiv" (UR-82027), which landed in Tucson, Texas, on April 25, 2025, is one of the largest transport aircraft in the world and has been produced since 1975. Its wingspan measures about 240 feet, and it is about 227 feet long. The aircraft is powered by four Lotarev D-18T engines, allowing it to reach speeds of up to approximately 537 mph. Ruslan can carry loads weighing up to approximately 176 tons, making it extremely versatile in both military and civilian transport.
Ruslan is often used for transporting heavy military equipment, such as Chinook helicopters. Its cargo hold, about 120 feet long and 22 feet wide, enables the transport of large loads over long distances. This aircraft is a key element in military logistics, facilitating the rapid deployment of equipment over vast distances.
F-16A ADF — decoys for valuable Russian weapons
The F-16 ADF is a version of the F-16 fighter that was used by the US National Guard and has been retired from service. Currently, some fuselages of these machines are used as mock-ups for training and disinformation purposes. Ukrainians make extensive use of them alongside inflatable and wooden dummies to protect real equipment.
Mock-ups and so-called "unflyables" (non-flight-capable F-16 shells) are used to deceive drones and engage the limited Russian ballistic missiles. Ukrainians have very limited means of defense against these threats, so each mock-up hit by an Iskander-M missile helps preserve real, operational equipment.
