Ukrainian Air Force pilots have begun flying F-16s, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed. He also showed footage of the fighters, which were delivered to Ukraine more than two years after the outbreak of Russia's armed invasion.
Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the F-16s are already in Ukraine during the ceremony dedicated to the Ukrainian Air Force. The Ukrainian president also showed a video of the fighter jets, which – as noted by Reuters – were delivered to the country more than two years after the outbreak of the armed invasion Russia.
F-16 in Ukraine
New stage
Zelensky said on Sunday that “a new stage in the development of the Ukrainian Air Force is beginning” and that “a lot has been done to bring these forces to a new standard of aviation”. “We have held hundreds of meetings and negotiations to strengthen the capabilities of our Air Force, to strengthen the capabilities of our air defense, our defense forces. We often heard in response: it is impossible. But despite this, we made possible what was our ambition, our defense need. And now it is truly a reality in our skies, the F-16s are already in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
At the same time, he noted that “the number of aircraft that have arrived in Ukraine and the number of pilots who have already been trained is still insufficient.” He emphasized, however, that Kiev's partners are aware of his country's defense needs.
Zelensky also said that at this time he could not disclose details about what tasks the fighters would perform or which of them had already been performed.
Main image source: Reuters