Ukraine receives first F-16 fighter jets - media

On July 31, Bloomberg reported the information, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

"The deadline for the transfer of the US-made warplanes was the end of this month and it has been respected," Bloomberg stated.

However, the exact number of aircraft received is not specified. It is also unclear whether Ukrainian pilots, who have been training with Western allies, will be able to start using these fighters immediately or if further training will be required.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has not yet issued an official comment on this development.

• On April 29, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Illia Yevlash said that Ukraine is preparing a set of measures to protect F-16 fighter jets while they are at airfields.

• On July 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces need at least 128 F-16 fighter jets to balance the aerial power between Ukraine and Russia.

• On the same day, Norway decided to transfer six F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. According to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the delivery of these jets will take place within this year.

• The New York Times reported that due to a shortage of trained pilots, Ukraine is expected to be able to use only about 10 of the F-16 fighters supplied by allies in 2024.