2023-08-19 11:28:52
► Green light from the United States for the transfer of F-16 to Ukraine by Denmark and the Netherlands
The United States announced on Friday that it had given the green light for Denmark and the Netherlands to send American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, once the Ukrainian pilots have been trained, “great news” according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiï Reznikov.
“This way, Ukraine will be able to take full advantage of its new capabilities as soon as the first group of pilots have completed their training. The F-16s will contribute to Ukraine’s defense and deterrence capabilities”said the spokesman for the US State Department.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, kyiv has been tirelessly calling for Western aircraft to fight Moscow’s forces, which are vastly superior at this stage. The United States has strict rules on the resale or transfer of American military equipment by allies. The date when the Ukrainian pilots will finish their training is not yet known.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in July that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets would be seen by Moscow as a threat ” nuclear “.
► Ukraine says it destroyed “15 Russian drones”
The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed « quinze drones » overnight, the Ukrainian army announced on Saturday morning. Russian forces “attacked from the north” with Shahed drones. “A total of 17 attack drones were launched from the Kursk region”, wrote the Ukrainian army on Telegram. Ukrainian air defense was activated “in the northern and central regions, as well as in the west” of the country, she added.
On Friday, Russia said it destroyed Ukrainian drones that targeted Moscow and its fleet in the Black Sea.
On the side of the front, in southern Ukraine, Ukrainian forces entered the eastern bank of the Dnieper, in the Kherson region, an area occupied by Russia, and took up position there, confirmed the governor of the region installed by Moscow.
► Putin meets with officials of the Ukraine operation in southern Russia
President Vladimir Putin met the generals in charge of the Russian military operation in Ukraine during a meeting in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, the Kremlin announced on Saturday morning. Authorities did not say when the meeting took place, but footage released by state media suggests it took place overnight.
The RIA Novosti news agency broadcast a video of the Russian president dressed in a suit and getting out of a jeep in the dark before being greeted by General Gerasimov, in military uniform. The video also shows Vladimir Putin chairing a meeting with senior military officials.
Close to Ukraine, Rostov-on-Don has become an operational center for Russian forces in Ukraine. The city was also the scene in June of the spectacular mutiny of Wagner’s mercenaries, who briefly seized the headquarters of the army before putting an end to their rebellion. General Gerasimov, whom Wagner’s mercenaries wanted to overthrow, has rarely been seen in public since that failed rebellion.
► Zelensky in Sweden to meet the Prime Minister and the Royal Family
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X (ex-Twitter) that he had arrived in Sweden to hold “talks” with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the royal family, as well as representatives of political parties.
Ses “talks” will cover the following topics: “partnership, defense cooperation, EU integration and Euro-Atlantic common security”he clarified, adding: “I thank all Swedes who support Ukraine”.
This visit comes at a time when Sweden is about to join NATO, like its neighbour, Finland. Sweden abandoned its doctrine of not delivering weapons to warring countries, and supplied Kiev with anti-tank weapons by the thousands.
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