By Deutsche Welle
05 Aug 2024, 02:19 AM EDT
After more than two years of waiting, Ukraine has received its first F-16 fighter-bombers, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday, saying his country will need more of the US-made aircraft to confront the Russian invasion.
“We often heard the word ‘impossible’, but we made our ambition possible. Now it is a reality, a reality in our sky: F-16s are in Ukraine,” Zelensky said as some of the planes flew overhead.
kyiv had requested them
These aircraft are considered one of the most valuable items on the extensive list of military equipment that kyiv had requested from its Western allies.
The Ukrainian president made the announcement in front of what appeared to be two gray, partially covered F-16s, at a location journalists were asked not to disclose for security reasons.
We are now in a new phase of development for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have done a lot to transition the Ukrainian Air Force to a new aviation standard – Western combat aviation. From the beginning of this war, we have been talking with our partners about… pic.twitter.com/z21yTU0Hjo
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 4, 2024
“We did it. I am proud of our boys, who have mastered these planes and have already started using them for our country,” he added.
The announcement comes as kyiv forces have struggled to contain the advance of Russian troops in recent weeks.
Accuracy, speed and range
Ukraine hopes that the arrival of these fighters, which are known for their precision, speed and range, will allow for greater protection from Russian bombings.
The Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude to kyiv’s allies, in particular to those who were the first to accept requests to supply the fighter jet.
“Thank you, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States and all our allies. We appreciate your support,” Zelensky said.
“I wish that our Air Force and all our soldiers will feel the pride of Ukrainians in our combat aviation and will bring Ukraine the combat results that will bring our victory closer – our just peace for Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
Ukraine has been dependent on Western weapons throughout the conflict, hence its insistence that the US send a wide range of weapons to repel the Russian invasion.
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