The arrival of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine marks \u201ca new chapter\u201d for the country\u2019s Air Force, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday as he confirmed for the first time that the combat aircraft are in the country. <\/p>\n
Ukraine has been urging allies to transfer the coveted jets since the start of the war to protect its skies against Russian missiles. Russia maintains air superiority over Ukraine and the F-16s offer a significant improvement in Kyiv\u2019s weaponry. The F-16s can provide air cover for troops, attack ground targets, take on enemy planes and intercept missiles. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe held hundreds of meetings and negotiations to strengthen the capabilities of our aviation and air defense,\u201d Zelensky said, speaking at an airbase outside Kyiv. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe often heard the answer that it was impossible,\u201d he said. \u201cNow it is a reality. F-16s are in Ukraine. I am proud of all our men who are mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country.\u201d <\/p>\n
Zelensky said he is grateful to partners, and especially to the first countries that accepted Kyiv\u2019s request for the aircraft. \u201cI thank Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. And to all our partners – we appreciate your support,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow is a new chapter in the Ukrainian Air Force. We have done a lot to ensure that the Ukrainian Air Force switches to a new standard of aviation – Western combat aircraft,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Zelensky said he can\u2019t comment on specific combat missions or how many F-16s are already in Ukraine, but said, \u201cSo far, the number that is available in Ukraine and the number of pilots who have already been trained is not enough.\u201d <\/p>\n
Nonetheless, \u201cthese jets are in our sky. It\u2019s good that they arrived and we can use them. At least for today I can tell you openly that we can use them,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
More F-16 jets are expected to arrive in Ukraine and \u201cmany of our men are currently studying and training,\u201d Zelensky said. \u201cI very much believe that the partners will find an opportunity to expand the training platform for our pilots and engineers. This is very important for us,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
The US committed to approving the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in August last year, after months of lobbying by Kyiv. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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