Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian pilots have begun flying F-16 fighter jets, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense capabilities, Reuters reports.
Zelensky confirmed the arrival of the US-made jets, a long-time request from Kyiv, which comes more than 29 months after Russia’s invasion. The F-16s, built by Lockheed Martin, are expected to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, though the exact number of jets and their impact remains uncertain. Zelensky emphasized the need for more trained pilots and additional jets and highlighted the importance of expanding training programs.
This transition to Western combat aviation is seen as a new stage in the development of Ukraine’s air force, which had previously relied on outdated Soviet-era aircraft against Russia’s superior fleet. Russia has threatened to target and shoot down these jets. Zelenskiy also expressed hopes that NATO allies might assist in intercepting Russian missiles.
