F-16 Fighting Falcon
Belgium will continue F-16 deliveries to Ukraine on schedule, after the first three F-35s are put into operation. This will take from a year to a year and a half, after which Belgium will be able to provide F-16s to Ukraine.
During his visit to the US, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thoroughly informed the American side about the situation at the front, Russian missile strikes, and urgent defense needs. The Ukrainian delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of defense and energy companies.
President Zelenskyy met with representatives of Lockheed Martin in Washington. Prospects for cooperation and opportunities to increase Ukraine's protection against Russian aggression were discussed, including the need for air defense, missiles, and F-16 aircraft.
Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal emphasized Ukraine's need for additional air defense systems and guided missiles during the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense. This is due to the continuation of Russia's air terror, which in September launched more than 5,600 attack drones and 180 missiles.
In recent months, at least ten European countries have reported drone incursions into their airspace, raising concerns and leading to increased security measures. Romania, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Belgium have witnessed these incidents, some of which are linked to Russia.
Belgium is considering transferring additional F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. This became possible after the arrival of the first fifth-generation F-35 aircraft in the country, which will replace the older machines.
Belgium is facing increasing pressure to allow the use of frozen Russian assets for a “reparation loan” to Ukraine. This comes after a shift in position by Berlin and other Western capitals, which now support the idea.
Yurii Ihnat, head of the Air Force Communications Department, explained that the complexity of shooting down Russian drones and missiles is affected by the enemy's tactical maneuvers and weather conditions. He also noted that the modernization of ballistic missiles complicates the work of Patriot systems.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ivan Havryliuk stated that Ukraine expects the supply of Swedish Gripen, French Mirage, and additional F-16s. The exact dates and number of deliveries are not yet disclosed, but Kyiv has also appealed to partners for at least ten Patriot systems.
Serhiy Leshchenko explained that 'Flamingo' missiles are complex high-precision weapons with many components purchased abroad. They are used selectively for maximum results.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that Russia is lying about the start of a world war if its planes are shot down by NATO countries. He recalled the 2015 incident when Turkey shot down a Russian bomber.
NORAD command intercepted two Russian Tu-95s and two Su-35s in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on September 24. Russian aircraft remained in international airspace, posing no threat to the US or Canada.
Russian "Shaheds" of the "Geran-2" and "Geran-3" types have a flight range of up to 2500 km and 1600 km, respectively, which allows them to reach European countries, including Great Britain and France. Expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap notes that European air defense systems are effective against high-altitude targets, but may have problems with low-flying drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force showed footage of combat operations against Russian targets, including anti-aircraft missile systems and mobile fire groups. Ukrainian air defense shot down 31 out of 40 missiles and 552 out of 579 drones launched by Russia on the night of September 20.
The Russian dictator believes that military escalation will force Ukraine to negotiate on his terms, and Trump will not interfere. Russia intensified attacks on military and civilian targets after the leaders' meeting in Anchorage.
Air defense forces are operating in Poltava Oblast amid an air raid alert. This comes after Russia launched 40 missiles and 579 drones at Ukraine.
As a result of the Russian night attack on September 20, 9 private houses, 10 garage boxes, 15 cars were damaged, and windows were broken in a high-rise building in the Kyiv region. Damages were recorded in Boryspil, Bucha, and Obukhiv districts.
Russia launched 40 missiles and 579 drones at Ukraine overnight, using a simultaneous strike tactic. Ukrainian air defense, including F-16s, neutralized 31 missiles and 552 drones.
Overnight, Ukraine suffered a massive Russian attack involving 40 missiles and 580 drones. Three people were killed, dozens were injured, and infrastructure and residential areas were targeted.
US President Donald Trump will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on September 25 at the White House. The parties will discuss trade, including the purchase of Boeing aircraft and an F-16 agreement, as well as continued negotiations on the F-35.
Large-scale armored and air force exercises "Iron Gate" are taking place at the military training ground in Orzysz, Poland. NATO servicemen and equipment, including Abrams tanks and F-35 fighters, are participating in them.
In Poland, according to sources, a missile from an F-16 fighter jet, which was trying to shoot down a drone, crashed into a house in Wyryki. The prosecutor's office and the Ministry of Defense do not disclose information, but sources claim that it was an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile with a guidance system malfunction.
Romanian F-16 fighters did not shoot down a Russian drone that entered the country's airspace on September 13 because the drone "returned to Ukraine. " Romanian Defense Minister Ionuț Moșteanu stated that the drone was flying very low and headed back to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a Russian drone penetrated 10 kilometers into the territory of Romania, a NATO country, and remained there for about 50 minutes. Romania scrambled combat aircraft, and Poland activated a military response to the threat of Russian drones.
Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets detected and tracked a drone in the country's airspace near the border with Ukraine. The drone disappeared from radars 20 km southwest of Chilia Veche, posing no threat to the population.
Russian drones made of wood and foam broke into Polish airspace, forcing NATO to deploy F-35 fighters, refueling aircraft, and the Patriot system. This revealed an imbalance between cheap weapons and the Alliance's expensive response.
Major Oleksandr Borovyk, born in 1995, died on September 11 around 13:30. He was piloting a Su-27 fighter jet in the Zaporizhzhia direction; the causes of the tragedy are being investigated.
Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the activation of air defense systems to protect Polish territory after its airspace was violated by Russian UAVs. Forces from several allies, including Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany, participated in the operation.
Poland recorded 19 Russian drones that violated its airspace, shooting down three of them. The country activated Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty for consultations with allies.
Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets in response to an air alert due to a Russian drone attack on Ukraine. Radar systems detected drones near the border, but no violations of Romanian airspace were recorded.