The first F-16 fighters from NATO allies arrived in Ukraine. According to sources familiar with the situation, who wished to remain anonymous, the deadline for the transfer of US military aircraft was met. However, the number of aircraft delivered is still small.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has already visited the Netherlands, where he inspected a hangar with F-16 fighter jets at an air base near Eindhoven. It is unclear whether Ukrainian pilots, who have been training with Western allies in recent months, will be able to use the planes immediately or whether they will need more time to adapt.

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Diana Davityan refused to comment on the situation. It has been more than a year since US President Joe Biden withdrew his objection to sending F-16s to Ukraine in May 2023, following repeated requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO allies to allow their transfer.

The decision was accompanied by intense debate over whether the F-16 would provide Ukraine with a decisive advantage. Experienced pilots said the planes would not be the “game of survival” that Ukraine is counting on.