In a pre-dawn assault, explosions rocked the skies over Starokostiantyniv, a small city in western Ukraine housing a crucial air base. Ukrainian air defenses successfully repelled the Russian attack, which targeted facilities critical to operations, including those expected to host incoming U.S.-designed F-16 fighter jets.
Following the attack on June 27, the city quickly returned to normalcy, despite being a frequent target since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Starokostiantyniv, nicknamed Starkon, with its 30,000 residents in Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi region, has become accustomed to living under constant threat.
"As they say, it's 'fun' living here," remarked Vasyl Muliar, a local official and cultural expert, wryly commenting after the recent strike.
Ukrainian military officials acknowledged the challenges posed by such assaults but affirmed they wouldn't hinder the arrival or operational use of the F-16s in combat.
Details about attacks on military bases and critical infrastructure remain guarded. Analysts suggest Russia likely targets airfield infrastructure like runways and storage to impede the F-16s' deployment and operations upon arrival.
"The Ukrainian military, facing shortages in air-defense resources, may need to relocate these valuable planes between airfields," noted military analyst Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute.
After the recent attack, Governor Serhiy Tyurin reported that nine targets were destroyed in the region's defense. Earlier warnings alerted residents to incoming drones aimed at Starokostiantyniv.
Local residents, accustomed to living under constant threat, carefully navigate discussions, wary of revealing sensitive military details. Iryna Sapchuk, editor-in-chief of the local newspaper Our City, shared personal experiences of her parents' home being damaged in a previous raid.
Amid the chaos of war, communities like Starokostiantyniv strive for normalcy. Road repairs continue, children play at the local beach, and daily life persists despite frequent power outages caused by Russian attacks on the energy grid.
Reflecting on the challenging times, Sapchuk remarked on the absence of aircraft noise when traveling elsewhere in Ukraine. "It's too quiet for me," she joked, noting that the sound had become a symbol of Ukrainian resilience in the face of adversity.
For Vasyl Muliar, the city's history as a bastion of defense since the 16th century resonates deeply. Starokostiantyniv continues to play a pivotal role in Ukraine's struggle for independence, just as it did during the tumultuous years following World War I.
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