Personnel have “already started” using Western-donated F-16s over Ukraine, the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed on Sunday.
“I am proud of all our guys who have mastered these aircraft and have already started using them for our country,” the Ukrainian leader said. “F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it.”
Widespread reports in late July suggested the Lockheed Martin-made jets, for which Kyiv has long asked, had finally arrived in the country.
Though not a gamechanger in themselves, the pledged jets will be a significant upgrade to Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force, battered by nearly two and a half years of full-scale war with Russia’s superior and more numerous fleet.
They are expected to be kitted out with advanced weapons, helping to fend off Russia’s incremental advances westward in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv has also said the jets will play a key role in air defense.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis appeared to confirm the delivery of the first batch of F-16s on Wednesday, although there had been no official comment from Ukraine’s air force.
“I am grateful to all the partners who are really helping with the F-16s, and to the first countries to accept our request for the aircraft—Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States, and all our partners—we appreciate your support,” Zelensky said.
The Netherlands has pledged a total of 24 F-16 jets to Ukraine as part of an international coalition with Denmark, Norway and Belgium to furnish Kyiv with advanced fighters. Ukraine will also receive 19 Danish F-16s.
President Zelenskyy confirmed the arrival of F-16 in Ukraine. The aircraft have already begun performing combat missions.
During the ceremony, where the announcement was made, Zelenskyy awarded Ukrainian defenders and paid tribute to the fallen heroes. pic.twitter.com/x62K0oih9l
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) August 4, 2024
Ukraine will get around 80 jets in total, a number that falls far short of the total number Kyiv has said it needs. It is not clear how many are now operational in Ukraine.
The U.S. greenlit the transfer of the American-made aircraft a year ago. The promises of F-16s came in soon after, but the timetables for getting the jets operational in Ukraine have been dogged by delays.
Ukraine’s Western backers were at first reluctant to pledge the fourth-generation jets, which were a much larger commitment than equipment such as tanks or artillery systems that have featured in military aid packages throughout the war.
Kyiv’s pilots have undergone training in NATO countries. Donor nations said Ukrainian personnel had to complete training programs, as well as get all necessary infrastructure and facilities up and running in the country, before the jets could take to the skies.
Tensions have opened up between Kyiv and its backers over the number of Ukrainian pilots completing these training programs.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington in July, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the first F-16s were on their way to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Update 8/4/2024 11:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
