Colonel General Alexander Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said there is an urgent need for more military aircraft to support ground forces operations, including US A-10 attack aircraft and aircraft capable of firing cruise missiles over long ranges.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters in the northeastern region of Kharkov, bordering Russia, Colonel General Syrsky noted that the A-10 Thunderbolt is a reliable attack aircraft that could provide significant support to infantry. The US-manufactured aircraft has been in service since the 1970s.

Sirsky's call for more aircraft comes as a major new U.S. military aid package for Ukraine is delayed by disagreements among lawmakers.

Experts, in turn, doubt that the United States will transfer these aircraft to Ukraine in the near future, due to the fact that they are simply not ready for combat use.