- Zelensky: We need timely weapons support for defense
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns against delays in the delivery of promised weapons or ammunition from the West for the defense of his country. "For us, it's crucial that the time between the announcement of packages and their deployment at the front is minimized," he said in his evening video address. He expressed gratitude to all partners who kept their promises on time. Additionally, his government is already working on new packages that could strengthen Ukraine's position in the fall. Zelensky did not provide further details.
Experts consider further combat aircraft
After the arrival of the first combat aircraft of the F-16 type from American production in Ukraine, experts are already speculating about further aircraft types. "If we're talking about needing 128 combat aircraft, it doesn't have to be just F-16s," said Valeriy Rjabych, head of the military-themed consulting firm "Defense Express" based in Kyiv. "It could also be (French) Mirage 2000/5 or the (Swedish) Saab Gripen." Nothing should be definitively ruled out.**
Ukraine will definitely continue to be equipped with combat aircraft from Western production. Over time, the Ukrainian air force could also be equipped with fifth-generation combat jets like the F-35. "Because with aircraft, it's not about tactics - it's about strategy," Rjabych said on television. "So if we've already received F-16s, our pilots will also master other Western aircraft."
President Zelensky presented the first F-16s in service with the Ukrainian air force on Sunday. According to different media reports, Kyiv has initially received between six and ten of these combat aircraft. The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have promised Ukraine a total of more than 60 of these fighter jets. The armament and equipment of the aircraft will come from the USA. Pilots and ground personnel have been trained in the West over the past few months.
Ukrainian intelligence uncovers Russian agents
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU has reportedly uncovered and neutralized a Russian spy network. The Russian intelligence service recruited potential employees via a chat site on the Telegram platform in six regions of Ukraine, the SBU announced in Kyiv. They were supposed to pass on information about critical infrastructure and military targets. The SBU observed the spies for some time before striking.**
A total of nine men were arrested - including two city administrators from Dnipro and Yushne in the Odessa region, who were recruited because they were active as "commentators" in pro-Kremlin chats. Their FSB handler was also exposed, it was reported. The claims could not be independently verified.
Heavy fighting continues in eastern Ukraine
Russian and Ukrainian troops continue to engage in heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine. The city of Pokrovsk was once again the epicenter of the fighting, where Russian troops have been trying to break through Ukrainian positions for days with heavy losses. The regional crisis staff ordered the evacuation of children and their families from over a dozen threatened villages due to the increased danger.**
According to the General Staff in Kyiv, repeated Russian attacks were reported from Torez, supported by combat aircraft that dropped ten guided bombs on the city.
Late in the evening, air and missile alarms were triggered in several regions of Ukraine. Residents of the capital, Kyiv, reported multiple explosions, which could potentially be attributed to the use of air defense systems.
In considering future military aid, Ukraine might also consider other types of combat aircraft beyond the F-16s.
Valeriy Rjabych, head of "Defense Express," emphasized that Ukraine's strategy should not be limited to a single aircraft type, implying the possibility of acquiring other types such as Mirage 2000/5 or Saab Gripen.
