December 4, 02:10 PM • 21312 viewsPresident Zelenskyy held phone conversations with the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium, who confirmed their participation in the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15-16, and discussed defense cooperation and Ukraine's integration into the EU.
The White House emphasizes that if russia is concerned about possible Western weapons strikes on its army, the easiest option is to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
According to a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, nuclear blackmail of russia by conducting military exercises with the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons is a standard practice for moscow, not something new, and a question to which the free world must provide an adequate response.
Ukrainian pilots and engineers continue to train on F-16s on an ongoing basis, completing language training, ground training, and light aircraft training before starting training on the multi-role F-16s, using all available seats provided by air coalition partners as Ukraine awaits delivery of F-16s to protect its airspace and conduct strikes on occupied territory.
Russian servicemen of the 38th separate motorized rifle brigade opened "friendly fire" at each other while drinking alcohol on Easter near Pologi, resulting in 5 occupants sustaining gunshot wounds, two of them in serious condition.
Russia will perceive the arrival of F-16s in Ukraine as nuclear weapons carriers and a deliberate provocation by the United States and NATO, regardless of the aircraft's modification.
The new Patriot air defense system from Germany is expected to arrive in Ukraine no earlier than the end of June, which may coincide with the delivery of F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has long been requesting.
The arrival of the F-16s in Ukraine does not mean that they will immediately begin performing combat missions, as infrastructure preparation and assessment of the operational situation will determine their readiness to perform tasks, according to a spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukrainian pilots are training to fly F-16s in Denmark, and NATO has released a video showing their training, while the Netherlands is providing additional F-16s for training in Romania.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Ilya Yevlash said that F-16 fighters will start operating in Ukraine “after Easter” but did not specify the exact date, as it has changed several times.
An F-16 fighter jet of the US Air Force crashed near a national park in New Mexico, but the pilot ejected. Part of the park was temporarily closed to restrict civilian access to the crash site.
Ukraine will deploy F-16 fighters on scattered runways and airfields, using various methods to conceal their location and mislead the enemy to protect them from Russian strikes.
Belgium will supply Ukraine with up to 4 F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2023, earlier than the previously planned delivery date of 2025, with the costs covered by taxes on Russian assets.
This year, more than a squadron of F-16 fighter jets, pilots and support personnel trained by members of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense will start arriving in Ukraine.
Ukrainian pilots are undergoing air combat training at an air base in France to prepare for the operation of F-16 fighter jets expected to arrive in Ukraine this summer.
Against the backdrop of international military and financial assistance to Ukraine, the occupiers began to intensify the construction of fortifications throughout Crimea.
Denmark will provide Ukraine with its entire fleet of decommissioned F-16 fighter jets, as previously agreed by the leaders of the two countries.
Three more F-16 multi-role fighter jets have been deployed to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots are expected to begin training soon.
Politico asked a Ukrainian army spokesperson about the threat if the occupiers manage to capture Chasiv Yar.
Three more F-16 fighters from the Netherlands Air Force will arrive at the European F-16 Pilot Training Center in Romania to support the training of Ukrainian pilots.
Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with a delegation from Lockheed Martin to discuss further operation of F-16 fighter jets, increasing defense production in Ukraine through cooperation with American companies, and strengthening Ukraine's air defense system in the face of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.
Zelensky praised the allies' unity and effectiveness in defending against terror in Israeli skies, hinting at similar full support for Ukraine in shooting down drones and missiles to protect lives and prevent further escalation.
Zelenskyy met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide during his visit to Ukraine, discussing further defense cooperation, strengthening Ukraine's air defense with Norwegian support, and expanding Norway's military and humanitarian assistance worth about $7. 1 billion under the Fritjof Nansen 2023-2027 program.
The Greek prime minister is convinced that russian troops deliberately launched a missile strike on Odesa to intimidate Athens when he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were visiting the city.
Bulgaria plans to deploy an air defense system on its territory in the context of military assistance to Ukraine.
Norway will provide Ukraine with a significant number of modernized F-16 fighter jets with updated weapons and a longer range to enhance Ukraine's ability to strike behind enemy lines.
Ukraine and Norway discussed a long-term support package for Ukraine, the expansion of the Fridtjof Nansen program, and Norway's participation in helping Ukraine obtain Patriot air defense systems from other countries.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo said that Belgium supports the training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16s and hopes that the first delivery will take place in May, but Belgium still needs the F-16s themselves until they are replaced by F-35s.
The United States has given the green light for the transfer of 22 Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, along with engines, auxiliary materials, spare parts, and other necessary equipment.
Ukrainian pilots are in the final stages of training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and the United States, practicing strikes on small targets and improving their skills for real combat missions in Ukraine.
