Ukrainian personnel have “already started” using Western-donated F-16s over Ukraine, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed on Sunday.
“I am proud of all our guys who have mastered these aircraft and have already started using them for our country,” the Ukrainian leader said in a video posted to social media.
Widespread reports in late July suggested the Lockheed Martin-made jets, for which Kyiv has long pleaded, had finally arrived in the country.
Though not a gamechanger in themselves, the pledged jets will be a significant upgrade to Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force, battered by nearly two and a half years of full-scale war with Russia’s superior and more numerous fleet.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis appeared to confirm the delivery of the first batch of F-16s on Wednesday, although there had been no official comment from Ukraine’s air force.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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