December 5, 08:25 AM • 12742 viewsDecember 4, 02:10 PM • 25750 viewsPoland has scrambled F-16 fighter jets due to intense russian missile attacks on Ukraine, launching procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.
Zelenskiy says Germany refuses to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, its most powerful weapons system, as Scholz argues that Germany cannot leave itself without them, but Zelenskiy says this will not protect the world from a nuclear threat from Russia.
Greece can transfer 32 F-16C/D Block 30 fighters to Ukraine, which have been modernized and have about 60% of their operational life left. In addition, Greece has 24 Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2s in its fleet, which, with the consent of France, could also be transferred to Kyiv.
Russia seeks to turn Kharkiv into a gray zone uninhabitable for civilians through intense bombardment, while Ukraine promises to defend the city and seeks Western air defense systems to counter the threat.
Ukraine is developing its own domestic weapons against russian guided aerial bombs (UABs) in addition to using air defense systems and expects F-16 fighter jets to improve the situation, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Stoltenberg said that F-16 fighters will not be a "silver bullet" for Ukraine in the war against Russia, but they will strengthen Ukraine's ability to repel Russian attacks.
Several groups of Ukrainian pilots are being trained in different countries to fly the F-16. Two advanced groups in Denmark and the United States are already honing their skills on F-16s.
The Belgian government has approved the allocation of EUR 100 million in military aid to Ukraine for the maintenance and support of F-16 combat aircraft as part of the international F-16 coalition.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the United States on May 9 to meet with President Joe Biden for the first time at the White House.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson announces ongoing talks with Ukraine on the potential transfer of Swedish Gripen fighter jets after joining NATO.
A delegation from the US House of Representatives will visit Turkey on March 29 to discuss the supply and modernization of F-16 fighter jets for the Turkish Air Force and the situation in Syria.
russian Ambassador to Poland Sergei Andreev temporarily left the country from March 26 to April 4 following an incident involving a russian missile that violated Polish airspace.
The United States is negotiating to increase purchases of explosives from Turkey to increase the production of artillery shells for Ukraine.
A Russian strike on Kharkiv injured 19 people, including children, forcing Zelenskyy to emphasize the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense and speed up the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Denmark will sell 24 F-16 fighter jets to Argentina for $300 million, promising 19 to Ukraine.
Poland has reacted to the fact that a Russian missile violated Polish airspace. The country warns that F-16 fighters and Poland's missile defense systems are on alert in case of further threats, and also criticized the Russian ambassador's refusal to explain the "missile" incident.
This week, Ukraine received significant financial and defense support packages from international partners, including €5 billion from the EU, a $900 million IMF tranche, and $2 billion in macro-financing from Canada, as well as new artillery, drones, and armored vehicles for defense.
Poland has scrambled F-16 fighter jets in response to the uncertain situation, according to the Polish Air Force.
President Zelenskyy met with Danish Defense Minister Lund Poulsen, thanking Denmark for its support and discussing strengthening Ukraine's air defense, joint weapons production, artillery and aviation coalitions, and training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.
In Chernihiv region, a cultural center was destroyed by enemy shelling and two civilians were wounded, the head of the Chernihiv regional military administration said.
Ten Ukrainian pilots have completed their basic flight training in the UK under the guidance of British Air Force instructors and will now receive further training from the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16s to defend Ukraine's skies.
The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with 350 million euros of military aid, including 150 million euros for the purchase of air-to-ground munitions for F-16 fighters and more than 200 million euros for unmanned aerial vehicles to be transferred to Ukraine.
President Zelenskyy met with Dutch Defense Minister Ollongren, thanked the Netherlands for €2 billion in military aid in 2024 and F-16 fighter jets, and discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense, artillery, armor, and drones.
An F-16 fighter jet of the Greek Air Force crashed into the sea near the island of Psathoura during a training flight, the pilot managed to escape using the ejection system.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis approves the training of about 50 Ukrainian pilots on F-16s at a military base in Romania, as well as the transit of weapons for Ukraine through Romania, donated by Finland.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Denmark for its solidarity with Ukraine. It is noted that Denmark is the first Scandinavian country to sign a security agreement with Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have launched a new defense management reform to improve defense planning, resource management, and interoperability with NATO.
Zelenskyy clarified that Macron's offer of Western support, including potential deployment of troops, only concerns training of Ukrainian forces in various areas, not direct military intervention.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi discussed with U. S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin preparations for the next meeting of the Defense Contact Group, the situation at the front, Ukraine's medium- and short-term needs, and specific requests for support.
Stoltenberg welcomed Germany's significant military support for Ukraine, including advanced air defense systems, battle tanks and ammunition, and reaffirmed Ukraine's right to self-defense under the UN Charter, while allies provide long-range systems to help Ukraine defend itself.
