Ukraine receives another batch of F-16 fighters – Zelensky
Photo: AP Photo / Ahn Young-joon
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces has received a new batch of F-16 fighter jets.
The head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced this during an online speech to journalists on March 19.
"Additional F-16s have arrived in Ukraine. The Russians are lying that they shot down something there; they didn't shoot down anything. And the good news is that several F-16s have arrived in Ukraine," Zelensky said.
The president did not name the exact number of fighter jets received.
He also denied information about the shooting down of an F-16 fighter jet by Russia.
Earlier, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported that the information about the "shooting down" of an F-16 aircraft over the Sumy region by the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, which allegedly worked in tandem with the Su-35 fighter, is not accurate.
Russian Telegram channels spread this fake. However, Air Forces' spokesperson Ihnat reported that this is not true.
"The F-16 pilots successfully worked out their routines today. And so, every day, combat work continues! I am proud of our pilots!" he said.
For reference:
A coalition of fighters formed in 2023, led by the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands, began transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine last year.
Ukraine received its first batch of Dutch fighter jets in October 2024, with the second delivery announced in early February 2025.
In November, reports indicated that Denmark had transferred six F-16 fighters to Ukraine. In mid-February, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umierov met with Belgian counterpart Theo Franken to discuss further implementation of the F-16 program. However, Belgium anticipates delivering F-16 fighters to Ukraine in 2026, as the delivery has been postponed pending Belgium's receipt of F-35 jets to replace the F-16s.
It should be noted that Belgium has committed to providing 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by 2028.
