A brand new cargo of Western F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed to journalists on March 19.
The president acknowledged that a number of F-16s had arrived however didn’t reveal the precise variety of jets delivered.
"Further F-16s have arrived in Ukraine. The Russians lied that they shot down one thing there, they didn't shoot something down. And the excellent news is that a number of F-16 plane have arrived in Ukraine," Zelensky instructed reporters throughout a briefing, RBC Ukraine reported.
Earlier within the day Russian media claimed that an F-16 jets was downed in Sumy Oblast, a declare that Ukraine's Air Power denied.
Zelensky didn’t specify from the place the jets had been delivered from.
Ukraine has been requesting F-16s for the reason that begin of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with the primary jets arriving in August 2024 after approval from a number of Western nations.
A number of nations have contributed F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine's protection efforts, with the Netherlands — who introduced the continued deployment of F-16s to Ukraine — enjoying a major position by committing 24 F-16s.
Denmark has pledged 19 F-16s, with preliminary deliveries made in 2024, whereas Norway has promised between 6 and 22 plane. Belgium has additionally introduced its intention to produce F-16s, although the precise quantity stays undisclosed.
F-16s are utilized in each offensive and defensive operations. The plane have been used for intercepting Russian missiles and drones throughout aerial strikes towards Ukraine. They may be deployed to launch missiles and bombs at Russian positions alongside the entrance line.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova