Ukraine displays first F-16 jets donated by Western allies

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to media representatives while standing in front of an F-16 fighter jet during Ukrainian Air Forces Day at an undisclosed location on August 4, 2024. © Sergei Supinsky, AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday unveiled the first US-made F-16 jets that Ukraine has received from NATO allies. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have pledged to deliver more than 60 F-16s to bolster Ukraine’s air defences after Washington gave the green light last year.

Ukraine’s newly arrived F-16 fighter jets were put on display Sunday by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the planes will boost the country’s war effort against Russia.