Lviv, Ukraine, Aug 8 (EFE).- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said that US-made F-16 fighter jets were already operational in their territory and more were expected to arrive amid ongoing war with Russia.
“F-16s are already in Ukrainian skies, and there will be more,” Zelenskyy said in a message on X, accompanied by a video summarizing how Ukraine acquired and deployed the aircraft.
He said that since the first day of “the full-scale Russian invasion,” Ukraine has been urging its partners to either establish a no-fly zone or provide aircraft to protect its airspace.
“We knew it was achievable, that the world has the power to make it happen. We combined political, diplomatic, and military efforts for this purpose. Gradually, step by step, we managed to achieve the result,” he said.
Zelenskyy announced the arrival of the first F-16s in Ukraine on Sunday and thanked Ukraine’s allies, particularly Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States for their support.
He emphasized that the fighter jets would significantly enhance Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian attacks.
While Zelenskyy did not specify the total number of aircraft received, media reports suggest that around 10 jets have been delivered to Ukraine, with another 20 expected by the end of the year.
Ukraine’s Western allies, including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, have pledged to provide over 60 fighter planes in the coming months. EFE
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