Zelensky announces arrival of first F-16 fighter jets

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed for the first time that F-16 fighter jets are in Ukraine, describing the event as “a new chapter” for the country’s Air Force.

Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been urging its allies to transfer the coveted planes to protect its skies from Russian missiles. Russia maintains air superiority over Ukraine and the F-16s represent a significant upgrade in kyiv’s weapons.

During the announcement, Zelensky said: “F-16s in Ukraine. Done. I am proud of our boys who have learned to fly these planes. and they have already begun to use them for our State.”

The president insisted that from the beginning of the war he had been urging his allies to close the Ukrainian skies to Russian missiles and aircraft, and that he welcomed this news.

It is worth noting that just last May, The first Ukrainian pilots have completed training on F-16 fighter jets at a military base in Arizonawhich makes it an operational challenge for Zelensky’s forces.

“We often hear the answer that it is impossible, but we made possible what was our ambition, our defensive necessity, and now it is a reality, a reality in our skies: the F-16s in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude to kyiv’s allies, in particular to those who were the first to accept requests to supply the fighter jet.

“Thank you, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States and all our allies. We appreciate your support,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president did not specify the total number of aircraft received.but according to international agencies, it is about ten, with the expectation that another twenty will be added before the end of the year.

Ukraine has been dependent on Western weapons throughout the conflict, hence its insistence that Washington send a wide variety of weapons to repel the Russian invasion. While the United States and its allies have provided increasingly advanced technology, such as the Patriot anti-aircraft system, fears of escalation with Russia have at times delayed deliveries.

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