Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms first F-16s have arrived in Ukraine

He announced this on Telegram.

"I am proud of all our guys who are mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country. I thank our team for this result. I thank all the partners who are really helping with the F-16s and the first countries to accept our request for the aircraft - Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States - and all our partners - we appreciate your support!" Zelensky said. 

He also expressed his wishes to the Ukrainian pilots who will operate the fighter jets. 

"And I wish our Air Force, all our soldiers to feel the pride of Ukrainians in our combat aviation and to bring Ukraine exactly the kind of combat results that will bring our victory closer - our just peace for Ukraine," the President of Ukraine added.

F-16 fighters for Ukraine: what is known

In May last year, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. And in August, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine. At the same time, Denmark claimed it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia. 

The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown.

Belgium also contributed to the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. On October 12, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.

On October 26, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA.

On November 1, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.

In early January 2024, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets this year.

On February 21, it became known that the first group of four Ukrainian pilots plans to complete training on F-16 fighter jets by the summer of 2024.

On March 18, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis approved the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets at the country's military base in Fătesti.

On March 22, it became known that the first 10 Ukrainian pilots had undergone basic training on F-16 fighter jets in the UK.

On March 29, the Belgian government approved a decision to allocate €100 million to Ukraine for the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets. Subsequently, they decided to deliver F-16s to Ukraine this year, but the exact timing is not yet known.

Earlier, Danish Ambassador to Ukraine Ole Egberg Mikkelsen said that Denmark would send Ukraine the promised F-16 fighter jets in the summer of 2024.

On April 26, it became known that Belgium had decided to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets this year, but the exact timing is not yet known.

On April 29, Yievlash said that Ukraine was preparing a set of measures to protect F-16 fighter jets when they are at airfields. In particular, these include underground shelters and bunkers.

On May 1, Air Force Command spokesman Iliaa Yievlash said that the first F-16 multi-role fighters would arrive in Ukraine after Easter, but no exact timeframe was given.

On July 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces need at least 128 F-16 fighters to equalize the power of Ukraine and Russia in the skies.

At the same time, Norway announced that the state would provide Ukraine with 6 F-16 aircraft. According to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the delivery of the fighters is expected to take place this year.

On July 31, it became known that the first batch of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies had already arrived in Ukraine.