Quotes
F-16s are in Ukraine. We did it,
Zelensky said in a video posted on social media showing him at an air base addressing and meeting Ukrainian pilots If I'm not mistaken, rewards [for Russian forces to shoot them down] have already been offered,
Peskov said, according to Reuters Robust air defense systems have meant that neither side has been able to achieve air superiority,
said Peter Rutland, a Russia expert and professor at Wesleyan University But they are not an overnight game changer that will trigger an escalatory response from Moscow,
It remains unclear whether Kyiv can count on longer range strike capabilities, despite recent reports that the U.S. has agreed to arm Ukrainian F-16s with American-made missiles and other advanced weapons,
Ukrainian F-16s will be challenged to independently create conditions for a much-desired breakthrough in the war with Russia,
defense analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies agreed But with the right strategy, doctrinal approach, logistical support, and training, F-16s could provide a critical advance in enhancing Ukraine's border defense and establishing localized air superiority, significantly bolstering Ukraine's position on the ground,
Christopher Koeltzow, Brent Peterson, and Eric Williams noted in analysis One obvious issue is quantity. Ukraine has so far only received a handful of F-16s, with a total of 24 jets expected to arrive by the end of 2024. ... To put this number into context, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated in recent weeks that in order to effectively counter Russian air power, his country would require a fleet of 128 F-16 jets,
The F-16 models that Ukraine has now begun to receive are a clear step up from the Soviet-era jets inherited from the USSR, boasting superior radar capabilities and longer range. At the same time, Ukraine's F-16s should not be viewed as a game-changing weapon in the war with Russia,
Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies think tank, said in analysis last week There is no 'magic pill' here. There is no panacea,
he told reporters last Thursday, ... according to russian state news agency Tasss The armed forces of the Kyiv regime will not get a universal remedy. They should be aware of that. Should these airplanes appear, their number will gradually decrease. They will be shot down and destroyed. These supplies will be unable to have any significant impact on the developments on the frontline,
The jets will considerably enhance Ukraine's ability to prevent Russian pilots entering Ukrainian air space, and can also target Russian cruise missiles in flight. This is particularly important as Russia has recently demonstrated its growing ability to bypass existing surface-to-air defense systems and strike civilian infrastructure targets across Ukraine,
So far, the number that is available in Ukraine and the number of pilots who have already been trained is not enough."
These jets are in our sky. It's good that they arrived and we can use them. At least for today I can tell you openly that we can use them,
We held hundreds of meetings and negotiations to strengthen the capabilities of our aviation and air defence,
Zelenskyy said, speaking at an airbase outside Kyiv I very much believe that the partners will find an opportunity to expand the training platform for our pilots and engineers. This is very important for us,
I thank Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. And to all our partners - we appreciate your support,
This is the combat aircraft we have been waiting for, which can significantly enhance our capabilities,
said Parliament chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk We often heard the word 'impossible'. Now it is a reality. Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine. We made it happen,
Zelenskyy said, as some flew above him during the announcement I am grateful to our allies for this decision. First and foremost, the effective use of modern aircraft means saving the lives of Ukrainian servicemen,
Armed Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrsky said