The Netherlands and Denmark have become the first countries to commit to donating F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a move that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed as a breakthrough in the country’s efforts to acquire these aircraft. The F-16s, which are American-made, are considered imperative in Ukraine’s war against Russia and would significantly bolster its air force and defense capabilities. President Biden had previously announced in May that NATO countries could train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s, and now the United States will allow allies to send the jets.
During his visit to the Netherlands, Zelensky announced that the country would donate 42 F-16s to Ukraine once the pilots and engineers have been trained. Denmark also joined in, stating that it would donate 19 F-16s to Ukraine. These jets would not only enhance Ukraine’s air defenses but also act as a deterrent to Russia in the longer term. The acquisition of the F-16s has been a priority for Zelensky’s government for months, but due to NATO countries’ delays in donation, Ukraine had initiated a counteroffensive in June without these jets.
Although Ukraine has managed to recapture some territory in its counteroffensive, it still faces strong resistance from Russia. Ukrainian officials have called for more military aid from allies to achieve better results in the short term. Ukraine is also seeking to obtain Swedish Gripen warplanes and has announced closer progress towards obtaining them during Zelensky’s visit to Sweden. The country has received Soviet-era jets from Poland and Slovakia but is looking to modernize its fleet.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has increasingly deployed drones to strike military and infrastructure targets. These attacks aim to cause some of the pain experienced by Ukrainian civilians due to Russia’s relentless attacks. Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks in its territory, including one that briefly closed airports in Moscow. Evidence suggests that Ukraine has been able to deploy drones with longer flying ranges. The Kremlin invasion in February 2022 has led to the deaths of nearly 9,500 Ukrainian civilians, far surpassing Russian civilian casualties.
As the conflict continues, issues of military production and supply have become increasingly important. The donations of F-16s from the Netherlands and Denmark mark a significant step for Ukraine’s military capabilities. Zelensky has vowed to respond to Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, and the recent missile strike in Chernihiv has fueled tensions further. The leadership of Russia’s Aerospace Forces is under pressure to improve air defenses, as threats penetrating further into Russian territory have increased in recent months.