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Showing Original Post only (View all)Surprise F-16 Update Issued by Ukraine [View all]
Source: Newsweek
Published May 01, 2024 at 6:17 AM EDT
Ukraine will start operating F-16s after Orthodox Easter on May 5, Kyiv has said, as the country contends with devastating Russian bombardment and the long wait for the Western-made fighter jets.
"We are waiting," Ukrainian air force spokesperson Ilya Yevlash said, adding the jets will be taking to the skies over the war-torn country "after Easter," according to remarks reported by Ukrainian media on Wednesday.
A number of Ukraine's Western backersDenmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgiumhave pledged to supply Lockheed Martin-made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
Kyiv has long requested the advanced jets to upgrade and replenish its air force, battered by more than two years of war against Russia's superior and more numerous aircraft. Russia has used its aircraft, flying outside of the reach of Ukraine's air defenses, to launch devastating aerial guided bomb strikes on Ukraine.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-f16-fighter-jets-air-force-1895964