RussiaFighter jets: Selensky presents Ukraine's first F-16s
SDA
4.8.2024 - 17:23
"The F-16s are in Ukraine." With these words, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the first American-made fighter jets with his country's national insignia at an undisclosed military airfield. The occasion for the presentation was Air Force Day. "We have done a lot to bring the Ukrainian air force up to a new standard, that of Western fighter aircraft," he said in front of the soldiers and pilots who had lined up for the parade.
Keystone-SDA
04.08.2024, 17:23
SDA
He recalled the many meetings and discussions with foreign partners on ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defense. The word "impossible" had been heard many times. But: "Now it is a reality in our skies, the F-16s are in Ukraine". A video distributed on Platform X shows various fighter jets in flight, including the F-16, with Ukraine's yellow and blue markings on the wings. The Ukrainian president thanked all foreign partners for their support in procuring the aircraft.
Selensky did not provide any information on how many fighter jets have now arrived in Ukraine. "So far, the number of F-16s available in Ukraine and the number of pilots already trained are not enough," he said. Western media recently reported that at least ten aircraft had already been handed over to Kiev.
Ukraine expects dozens of jets
The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium have together promised Ukraine over 60 of these American-made fighter jets and have taken on the training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel. According to American media reports, the weapons and equipment for the jets are to come from the USA. Germany, which has no F-16s in its inventory, did not contribute to this strengthening of the Ukrainian air force.
The fighter aircraft is one of the most powerful military jets in the world and is used in more than two dozen countries. The aircraft from the US company Lockheed can be used both in air defense and against targets on the ground, i.e. to push back enemy formations. The F-16 is also capable of flying at extremely low altitudes and in all weathers.
"The positive thing is that we are expecting additional F-16s," Selensky continued. He is certain that Ukraine's partners will be able to expand the training of pilots and technicians. "This is very important for us."
Selensky did not provide any details on how the new fighter jets are to be used. According to Ukrainian military experts, the F-16s are unlikely to be used in direct air combat with Russian aircraft over the front line, as Russia has built up a dense air defense network. In addition, the Russian military is likely to attempt to destroy the F-16s at their bases in Ukraine.
Ukrainian missile attacks on Luhansk
The Ukrainian armed forces have attacked several targets in the Luhansk region in the east of the country with long-range rockets and cruise missiles. One of the targets of the attacks was a fuel depot, as reported by the state agency Tass, citing military sources. Details of the damage and possible casualties were not given.
Russian troops advance into the frontline town of Chassiv Yar
According to consistent reports, Russian troops are continuing to advance in the strategically important small town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine. The Siversky Donets-Donbass Canal had long formed a natural line of defense for the Ukrainians there. According to military bloggers, Russian units have crossed the canal at several points and are trying to establish themselves in the town. The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also wrote in its evening report on Saturday that Russian troops were operating west of the canal. The Ukrainians had already had to give up the eastern part of the city on the other side of the canal in July.
The Ukrainian General Staff only mentioned the fighting around Chasiv Yar in general terms in its situation reports. It said that there had been a total of 140 individual battles on the fronts in the east and south of Ukraine since Saturday morning. The high number suggests intense fighting.
Bulwark to secure Ukrainian cities
Chassiv Yar in the Donetsk region lies to the west of the town of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia in 2023 after months of heavy fighting. Situated on a hill, Chasiv Yar has since been the bulwark that secured important towns in the Ukrainian rear, such as Kostyantynivka and Kramatorsk.
The Ukrainian army has long been on the defensive in the ground battles in the east and south and has had to retreat in several places in recent weeks. The opening of a second front by Russia near the large city of Kharkiv in May has forced Ukraine to deploy troops there. These are now missing on other sections of the front. Despite this, the Russian army has not yet achieved a breakthrough in its summer offensive.