Ukraine has received upgraded F-16 fighters with new avionics and radars. Training of pilots and technical personnel continues, and the transfer of aircraft from other partner countries is expected.
Military expert Valery Ryabykh believes that the presence of F16s in Ukraine will force russians to use tactical weapons more cautiously. He believes that he believes that Ukraine needs at least 5 brigades of such fighters.
Military expert Valery Ryabykh suggests that the F-16 could have been purchased in Ukraine earlier and helped repel the largest drone attack of the Russian Federation this year. He believes that the fighter radars could improve the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense.
President Zelenskyy announced the arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine by posting a photo of the planes on Telegram. He called it the realization of Ukraine's defense needs and ambitions.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has identified attempts by russian propaganda to downplay the importance of F-16s for Ukraine. Theses about the ineffectiveness of the aircraft and threats of retaliation from russia are being spread.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said that the F-16s will allow them to shoot down more russian missiles and aircraft. He thanked the allies for the decision to provide the fighters, which will help save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.
President Zelenskyy announced the arrival of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. He thanked the partners for their support and expressed pride in the Ukrainian pilots who have already started using the aircraft.
The Air Force was, in fact, the first to take the brunt of the enemy attack, as enemy aircraft tried to establish their dominance in the Ukrainian sky at any cost. Since the beginning of the war, 363 enemy airplanes, 326 helicopters, 13057 operational and tactical UAVs, and 2410 cruise missiles have been destroyed in the skies over Ukraine.
The advisor to the head of the OP said that Ukraine would not comment on the information about receiving F-16s. He called it a topic where the 'fog of war' is appropriate, as it should be reflected on the battlefield.
The Times reports that six F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands have arrived in Ukraine. Several more aircraft are expected to arrive soon from Denmark, although there is no official confirmation of this information.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis confirms that Ukraine has received F-16 fighter jets. This is the first official information on the appearance of the long-awaited aircraft in the Ukrainian sky.
The White House refused to comment on the arrival of the first F-16s to Ukraine. John Kirby confirmed that the process of transferring the fighters is progressing and they will be ready to fly by the end of the summer.
The Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will become the main manufacturer of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. This will help ensure the uninterrupted transfer of missiles to Ukraine from the US Air Force.
Bloomberg reports that Ukraine has received the first small batch of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies. The exact number of planes and the readiness of Ukrainian pilots to use them are not yet known.
The US agreed to equip Ukraine's F-16s with modern weapons, including HARM and AMRAAM missiles. Pilot training and aircraft maintenance remain challenges to the effective use of the fighters.
F-16 fighters will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, but their number will be insufficient to have a significant impact on the course of the fighting. The planes will initially be used primarily to strengthen air defense rather than for ground attacks.
The head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration Yermak had a telephone conversation with US Presidential Advisor Sullivan. They discussed the situation on the frontline, Ukraine's military needs, the use of F-16s, and the restoration of energy infrastructure.
For the second night in a row, Romania's northern Tulcea county has been on alert for possible objects falling from the air. The authorities urge not to panic and emphasize that the country's territory is not the target of Russian attacks.
Two Romanian Air Force F-16s patrolled the airspace at night due to Russian drone attacks on facilities in Ukraine near the border. The Romanian Ministry of Defense stepped up monitoring and warned the population of the Tulcea border county.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Syrsky said that the F-16s would strengthen Ukraine's air defense, but would have limitations. The fighter jets must be located more than 40 kilometers from the front line because of the risk of being shot down by Russian forces.
Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 elections gives him the opportunity to focus on foreign policy. Key challenges: ending the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and securing Ukraine's support against russia's military aggression.
The Ukrainian military struck and destroyed an enemy S-300 air defense system, including radar stations and launchers, in the temporarily occupied Donetsk region.
NATO will not be directly involved in the conflict, but will continue to support Ukraine with air defense systems and ammunition.
The Office of the President of Ukraine confirmed the fact of negotiations.
Ukraine's armed forces drove the Russian army out of the village of Sotnytsia Kozachok in Kharkiv region, while the Russian army advanced near several settlements in Donetsk region.
Ukraine's strikes on targets in Russia must comply with international law, it all depends on the circumstances, said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that during the meeting in the NATO-Ukraine Council format, they will discuss how to further deepen cooperation.
At the NATO summit, President Zelenskyy met with leaders of Indo-Pacific partner countries Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to discuss security issues in the rapidly changing Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine's urgent need for air defense systems, and expressed gratitude for defense assistance from Australia and New Zealand.
Ukraine and Romania signed a security agreement to strengthen cooperation in the Black Sea region, with Romania providing Patriot systems, defense industry support, and assistance in training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.
Romania will provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system and support its security efforts in the Black Sea region under a new bilateral agreement.