Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed off newly arrived Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets Sunday, saying the planes would boost Ukraine's war efforts against Russia.
“These jets are in our skies,” Zelenskyy said, standing in front of two fighter jets as two others flew above them in close formation.
The F-16s, sporting a trident emblem on their tails and covered in camouflage netting, provided a dramatic backdrop for Zelenskyy as he delivered a speech on Armed Forces Day, amid tight security at an undisclosed location to protect the jets from Russian attack.
(ACT) “I am proud of all (pilots) who learned how to operate these aircraft and have started using them for our country,” Zelenskyy said.
Although new to Ukraine, the F-16s are actually old jets donated by Ukraine's Western allies.
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing more than 60 of the aircraft to Ukraine in the coming months in what could be a phased delivery.
Zelenskyy did not say how many F-16s had arrived in Ukraine or their country of origin.
The F-16s will enhance Ukraine's military power, particularly by improving its air defenses.
But analysts say the planes will not automatically change the course of the war.
The F-16s arrived in Ukraine as Russia made slow but steady advances on the battlefield in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. Russia continues to advance while Ukraine gradually loses territory.
The American-made F-16 is an iconic fighter jet that has been the frontline fighter of choice for the NATO alliance and many air forces around the world for the past 50 years. (uh/ab)
