Recent reports from TV2 indicate that Norway has taken a significant step by committing to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, marking the third country, after Denmark and the Netherlands, to contribute to enhancing Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Last Friday, a senior official from the White House announced the United States’ approval of the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv from Denmark and the Netherlands.
According to the official, Kyiv authorities are set to receive these aircraft after the completion of training for Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that Denmark is scheduled to deliver 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in stages.
The initial six jets are expected to arrive by the upcoming year, followed by eight more in 2024, with the remaining five reaching Kyiv by 2025.
Despite concerns from the Russian military, Ukraine’s acquisition of F-16 fighter jets is seen as another move to bolster its defense capabilities against ongoing conflicts.
The Russian army asserts that this development will not hinder its continued military operations in Ukraine until all objectives are achieved.
Russian Defense Ministry reports state that since the start of the counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces have suffered losses including over 43,000 soldiers, over 4,900 weapons, 26 aircraft, 9 helicopters, 1,831 armored vehicles and tanks, among them 25 German “Leopard” tanks, 7 French AMX wheeled tanks, and 21 American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.