Zelensky Asserts Kiev Employed American-Made Fighter Jet for the First Time
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky announced that F-16 jets intercepted Russian missiles for the first time on Monday. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian Air Force utilized US-made F-16 fighter jets for the first time to intercept Russian missiles during a significant attack on Monday, according to President Vladimir Zelensky. He noted, however, that the quantity of warplanes received from Western allies remains inadequate.
Last year, several NATO countries—including the US, France, Bulgaria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden—committed to providing aircraft to Ukraine. These nations formed an ‘F-16 coalition’ to facilitate deliveries and organize pilot training.
While there is no definitive timeline for the arrival of the aircraft, reports estimate that Ukraine may receive approximately 85 fighter jets over several years in various batches.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Zelensky stated: “The F-16 [had] a good result… As part of this enormous [Russian] missile attack [on Monday] we shot down some of the rockets with the help of F-16s.” He expressed gratitude to Western supporters for the supply of the warplanes but urged for more deliveries and expanded training programs for Ukrainian pilots.
On Monday, Russian forces launched what Ukrainian officials described as “one of the largest combined strikes” since the conflict began in February 2022.
The Russian Defense Ministry characterized the “massive high-precision attack” as utilizing long-range air and sea-based weapons, alongside drones. It primarily targeted energy facilities crucial for Ukraine's defense industry and airfields storing Western-supplied munitions.
“All the designated targets have been hit,” the statement reported.
Earlier this month, Zelensky confirmed the arrival of the first US-made F-16s via his Telegram channel, although he did not disclose the exact quantities. He emphasized the aircraft's potential to achieve “exactly such combat results that will bring our victory closer – our just peace for Ukraine.”
In response, Moscow has cautioned that the F-16s, like other Western arms provided to Ukraine, will not alter the conflict's outcome but instead prolong the violence. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that the fighter jets are not a “magic pill” and will eventually be “shot down and destroyed.” He predicted that the introduction of F-16s “will not be able to significantly influence the dynamics of events at the front.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
Last year, several NATO countries—including the US, France, Bulgaria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden—committed to providing aircraft to Ukraine. These nations formed an ‘F-16 coalition’ to facilitate deliveries and organize pilot training.
While there is no definitive timeline for the arrival of the aircraft, reports estimate that Ukraine may receive approximately 85 fighter jets over several years in various batches.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Zelensky stated: “The F-16 [had] a good result… As part of this enormous [Russian] missile attack [on Monday] we shot down some of the rockets with the help of F-16s.” He expressed gratitude to Western supporters for the supply of the warplanes but urged for more deliveries and expanded training programs for Ukrainian pilots.
On Monday, Russian forces launched what Ukrainian officials described as “one of the largest combined strikes” since the conflict began in February 2022.
The Russian Defense Ministry characterized the “massive high-precision attack” as utilizing long-range air and sea-based weapons, alongside drones. It primarily targeted energy facilities crucial for Ukraine's defense industry and airfields storing Western-supplied munitions.
“All the designated targets have been hit,” the statement reported.
Earlier this month, Zelensky confirmed the arrival of the first US-made F-16s via his Telegram channel, although he did not disclose the exact quantities. He emphasized the aircraft's potential to achieve “exactly such combat results that will bring our victory closer – our just peace for Ukraine.”
In response, Moscow has cautioned that the F-16s, like other Western arms provided to Ukraine, will not alter the conflict's outcome but instead prolong the violence. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted that the fighter jets are not a “magic pill” and will eventually be “shot down and destroyed.” He predicted that the introduction of F-16s “will not be able to significantly influence the dynamics of events at the front.”
Olivia Brown contributed to this report for TROIB News
