Ukraine Receives First F-16 Fighter Jets

Ukraine has received its first F-16 fighter jets, a significant development in its ongoing conflict with Russia, a US official confirmed to the Associated Press. The jets, which Ukraine has sought for months, are critical for combating the barrage of Russian missile strikes..The US has been training Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16s, with the first group already graduated. During his recent visit to Washington for the NATO summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged NATO allies to lift restrictions on how Western-provided weapons are used, specifically to target a broader range of Russian assets..The exact number of jets provided in the initial delivery and the contributing nations have not been disclosed. However, the US has committed to equipping a dozen F-16s with advanced weaponry, including AGM-88 HARM missiles, AMRAAM missiles, and AIM-9X missiles..Reports indicate that around 80 F-16 jets from countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway will eventually be sent to Ukraine, with up to 20 expected within 2024. The US is considering expanding pilot training in Arizona or other US Air Force bases. This move aims to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities against Russian attacks.