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Syrskyi: Recent arrival of F-16s will mean 'more downed missiles and planes'

by The Kyiv Independent news desk August 4, 2024 8:51 PM 2 min read
An F-16 fighter aircraft performs during the Antidotum airshow in Leszno, Poland on June 22, 2024. (Sergei GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)
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The recent delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine means there will be "more downed missiles and planes used by Russian criminals to attack Ukrainian cities," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Aug. 4.  

Syrskyi made the comments in a Facebook post, following confirmation earlier in the day by President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukrainian pilots are already using the first batch of recently delivered F-16s.

In his post, Syrskyi thanked allies for their decision.

The Times reported on Aug. 1 that the first batch of planes included six jets provided by the Netherlands, while the Economist reported on Aug. 4 that Ukraine received 10 F-16 jets at the end of July.

Although some defense experts do not expect F-16s to become game-changers in the war, the jets may strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and shield the country's population centers from Russia's daily bombardments.

Kyiv has been calling for these U.S.-made fourth-generation jets since the very first year of the full-scale war in order to bolster its air force, which made up of Soviet-made aircraft and has been significantly depleted over the past years of war.

How F-16s in Ukraine can help fight Russia
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with the latest news that F-16s have reportedly arrived in Ukraine After a long wait, F-16 fighter jets have finally arrived in Ukraine, according to reports. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said the deadline for the delivery of the firs…

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10:46 AM

US halts Ukraine-bound weapons already staged in Poland, WSJ reports.

The shipment includes over two dozen PAC-3 Patriot missiles, more than two dozen Stinger air-defense systems, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, and over 90 AIM air-to-air missiles intended for use with Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets, according to U.S. administration and congressional officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
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