The arrival of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine was confirmed by officials on Wednesday, a move that will significantly bolster the country’s air capabilities in its ongoing war with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently stressed the critical need for advanced air support and aircraft since the start of the Russian invasion over two years ago.
While international support for providing warplanes to Kyiv has been evident, the U.S. initially hesitated to provide its F-16 technology due to concerns about escalating the conflict beyond Ukrainian borders. This mirrored its earlier stance on other military capabilities like long-range ATACMS missile systems and before ultimately acquiescing to requests.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, a vocal supporter of Ukraine, took to X to announce the delivery, stating, “F-16s in Ukraine. Another impossible thing turned out to be totally possible.”
Despite multiple reports citing U.S. intelligence officials, neither the Pentagon nor Ukrainian defense officials have formally confirmed the arrival of the F-16s.
Kyiv’s decision to keep the F-16 arrival under wraps is understandable given the security challenges these advanced aircraft pose for the war-torn nation.
Ukrainian pilots have been undergoing extensive training on F-16 systems in both the U.S. and Europe, preparing for the deployment of these modern warplanes.
However, Ukraine faces the critical task of securing the F-16s while they remain on the ground as they are expected to be a prime target for Russian forces seeking to destroy them.
When questioned by reporters on Wednesday about the arrival of the F-16s, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated, “I’m certainly not going to talk about weapons capabilities.”
“We have said, and said at the NATO summit, that the process of providing F-16s to Ukraine continues to move forward,” he added. “We said that they will be operational by the end of the summer. We have no reason to doubt that.”
Zelenskyy has consistently emphasized the crucial role F-16s would play in strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses as Russia continues its relentless drone and missile attacks.
“Last night alone, almost 90 ‘Shahed’ drones were shot down,” Zelenskyy said in a Wednesday address to the nation. “This is a serious result. I thank everyone for their precision: our mobile fire groups, fighter aircraft crews, anti-aircraft gunners, electronic warfare specialists — everyone.”
“You have done an excellent job in the skies across many of our regions,” he added. “It is also crucial to increase Ukraine’s skies defense capabilities.”