In a bold move, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to challenge Russia by showcasing the $60+ million worth of advanced weaponry supplied by Western allies. His office released a video that captured him addressing a military ceremony from an undisclosed location, introducing the country’s first US-made F-16 fighter jets into combat deployment. The event was marked by scenes of two F-16s flying low over the gathering, as well as a newly painted national trident logo on a jet parked on the tarmac behind Zelensky.
We often heard the word ‘impossible.’ Now it is a reality. Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine. We made it happen,” Zelensky proudly declared as jets roared overhead. He expressed gratitude towards all those who have worked diligently to master these advanced aircraft and put them into use for the nation’s defense.
The training program, which took place over a year in the United States and northern Europe, allowed Ukrainian pilots to become adept at handling these powerful machines. International journalists present at the event confirmed witnessing at least two of the newly transferred F-16s; however, the exact number of jets already delivered remains undisclosed.
While the introduction of F-16s is a significant milestone for Ukraine, there is still concern about Russian forces targeting these new aircraft. To minimize the risk, Ukraine had previously considered placing some of the fighter jets at airbases belonging to its partner countries, keeping them out of Moscow’s reach.
In an ironic twist, even as Zelensky unveiled the first of dozens of fighter jets transferred to Ukraine, he also emphasized that more assistance is needed from Western allies. Our partners know that the number of F-16s we have in Ukraine and the number of pilots who have already been trained is not enough,” he said. The good news is that we are expecting additional F-16s.
Zelensky confirmed ongoing pilot training programs, which include learning English technical terms specific to the aircraft, as well as thanking Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States, and other allies for providing the jets and supporting the training program. Although approximately 80 fighter jets have been promised to Ukraine, Zelensky has urged partner nations to secure at least 130 jets to ensure that the nation’s airspace can be effectively protected against Russian aggression.
