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05-08-2024, 12:00 AM
Zelensky Says Ukraine Has Received First F-16 Jets. He did not say how many jets had been delivered and declined to comment on their specific tasks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks as he stands in front of an F16 fighter jet during a ceremony held to mark Ukrainian Air Forces Day at an undisclosed location on August 4.
Ukraine has received its first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets, The President Zelensky said Sunday, adding that more are needed to beat back Russian forces, more than two years, he has pleaded Western partners for aircraft long considered the crown jewel in sprawling list of military hardware Kyiv has sought. "We often heard word 'impossible'. Now its a reality. Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine made it happen," Zelensky said, as F-16 fly above him during the announcement.
Zelensky was standing in front of what looked like 2 grey, partially-covered F-16s branded with the Ukrainian trident, in a location reporters were asked not to disclose for security reasons. "I'm proud of all our guys who mastering these aircraft
have already started using them for our country," he said. He did't say how many jets had been delivered, declined comment on their specific tasks, AFP journalists saw at least two F-16s on the spot.
Announcement will likely be welcomed by many, comes as Kyiv's forces struggling to hold back advances by Russian troops in recent weeks. Kyiv hopes arrival of fighter jets -- touted for their precision, speed and range -- will enable it to better protect itself from Russian bombardment.
'Not enough' - Zelensky, however, immediately warned more were needed.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/36876
Ukraine has received its first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets, The President Zelensky said Sunday, adding that more are needed to beat back Russian forces, more than two years, he has pleaded Western partners for aircraft long considered the crown jewel in sprawling list of military hardware Kyiv has sought. "We often heard word 'impossible'. Now its a reality. Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine made it happen," Zelensky said, as F-16 fly above him during the announcement.
Zelensky was standing in front of what looked like 2 grey, partially-covered F-16s branded with the Ukrainian trident, in a location reporters were asked not to disclose for security reasons. "I'm proud of all our guys who mastering these aircraft
have already started using them for our country," he said. He did't say how many jets had been delivered, declined comment on their specific tasks, AFP journalists saw at least two F-16s on the spot.
Announcement will likely be welcomed by many, comes as Kyiv's forces struggling to hold back advances by Russian troops in recent weeks. Kyiv hopes arrival of fighter jets -- touted for their precision, speed and range -- will enable it to better protect itself from Russian bombardment.
'Not enough' - Zelensky, however, immediately warned more were needed.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/36876
