"It is necessary to prepare in advance the entire Russian air defense system for the fight against American fighters ... There is no doubt that Ukraine will receive the F-16 sooner or later," he said.
According to Zhuravlev, even if the Ukrainian pilots do not have time to train, the US military will be able to sit at the helm.
In addition, the deputy noted, it is necessary to hastily modernize the existing air defense systems under the modern conditions of warfare.
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba asked other countries for F-16 fighter jets, which Kyiv needs to "restore global food security."
According to him, with the help of such aircraft, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to keep Russia "away from the grain corridor" in the Black Sea.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the issue of supplying F-16 fighters to Kyiv is difficult, but it is being discussed.