- Fighter jets: Zelenskyy presents first F-16 to Ukraine
"The F-16s are in the Ukraine. With these words, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the first combat aircraft produced in the United States, bearing the insignia of his country, at an unnamed military airbase. The occasion was the Air Force Day. "We have done a lot to bring the Ukrainian Air Force to a new standard, that of Western combat aircraft," he said before the soldiers and pilots assembled for the parade.
He recalled the many meetings and discussions with foreign partners about ways to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, during which the word "impossible" was often heard. But now: "It's a reality in our skies, the F-16s are in the Ukraine." A video posted on the X platform shows several flying combat aircraft, including the F-16s, with the yellow-blue markings of Ukraine on their wings. The Ukrainian President thanked all foreign partners for their support in acquiring the aircraft.
Zelensky did not provide information on how many combat aircraft have arrived in Ukraine so far. "The number of F-16s currently in Ukraine and the number of pilots already trained are not yet sufficient," he said. Western media had recently reported that at least ten machines had been handed over to Kyiv.
Ukraine expects dozens of jets
The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have promised Ukraine over 60 of these combat jets produced in the United States and have taken on the training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel. The weapons and equipment of the jets are reportedly to come from the USA. Germany, which does not have any F-16s in its inventory, did not contribute to this strengthening of the Ukrainian Air Force.
The combat aircraft belongs to the most powerful military jets worldwide and is in use in more than two dozen countries. The machines of the US company Lockheed can be used both in air defense and against targets on the ground, i.e., for repelling enemy forces. The F-16 is capable of flying at extremely low altitudes and in any weather.
"The positive thing is that we expect additional F-16s," Zelensky continued. He is confident that the partners of Ukraine could further expand the training of pilots and the training of technicians. "That's very important for us."
Zelensky did not provide information on how the new combat aircraft will be used. According to estimates by Ukrainian military experts, the F-16s are unlikely to be used in direct air combat with Russian machines over the front, as Russia has set up a dense air defense network. In addition, the Russian military is likely to try to destroy the F-16s on their parking places at Ukrainian support points.
Ukrainian rocket 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. Among the targets was a fuel depot, as reported by the state agency Tass, citing military circles. Details on damage and possible casualties were not provided.
Russian troops are advancing in the strategically important eastern Ukrainian town of Chassiv Yar, according to matching reports. The Siverskyi Donets-Donbass Canal had long served as a natural defensive line for the Ukrainians there. Military bloggers report that Russian units have crossed the canal at several points and are trying to establish a foothold in the town. The U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also wrote in its Saturday evening report that Russian troops were operating west of the canal. The Ukrainians had to abandon the eastern part of the town on the other side of the canal back in July.
The Ukrainian General Staff only mentioned the fighting in Chassiv Yar in general terms in its situation reports. There had been 140 separate engagements at the fronts in the east and south of Ukraine since Saturday morning, it said. The high number suggests intense fighting.
Bulwark for securing Ukrainian cities
Chassiv Yar, located in the Donetsk region west of the city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russia after months of heavy fighting in 2023, has since served as a bulwark securing important cities in the Ukrainian rear such as Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk.
In the ground battles in the east and south, the Ukrainian army has been on the defensive for a long time and has had to withdraw from several places in recent weeks. The opening of a second front by Russia near the major city of Kharkiv in May forced Ukraine to redeploy troops there, leaving gaps at other front sections. Nevertheless, the Russian army has not yet achieved a breakthrough in its summer offensive.
The Ukrainian President mentioned, "It's a reality in our skies, the F-16s are in the Ukraine," highlighting the following delivery of combat aircraft.
Ukraine anticipates additional support from its partners, as Zelensky stated, "We expect additional F-16s."
