The Danish-provided, US-made fighter jets will strengthen the country’s air defenses, according to Zelensky
Ukraine has received a second batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, Vladimir Zelensky has announced, adding that they will help protect the country from Russian airstrikes.
The Ukrainian leader made the announcement on Saturday morning, without clarifying how many of the advanced warplanes Kiev had received or whether they had already been deployed. He claimed, however, that “the aircraft from the first batch, provided by the Danish people, are already intercepting Russian missiles.”
“Now, our air shield has been further strengthened,” Zelensky wrote on X, thanking Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for her continued support.
The US allowed its NATO allies to provide Kiev with F-16s in the summer of 2023, with several Western countries helping to train Ukrainian pilots. According to media reports, Kiev is supposed to receive around 80 jets, with Denmark committed to supplying a total of 19 F-16s.
Kiev announced the arrival of the first batch of aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands this August. The same month, however, Ukraine lost one of the jets, along with veteran pilot Lieutenant Colonel Alexey Mes, who was killed in the crash. The exact cause remains unclear, with one version being friendly fire from one of the country’s US-made Patriot missiles. Following the incident, Zelensky fired his Air Force commander without any explanation.
Western media reports have warned that the F-16s won’t be a “game changer” on the battlefield because they won’t have a decisive advantage over their Russian rivals.
Moscow has repeatedly denounced Western arms shipments, warning that they would only prolong the conflict without changing its outcome. It has also said that F-16 deliveries represent an escalation of hostilities.
