Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned the selection of F-16 fighter jets his nation will obtain from allies this 12 months may not be enough to counter Russia’s air power.”The verdict to switch F-16s to Ukraine used to be strategic, however their quantity used to be now not strategic,” Zelensky mentioned at a press convention in Kyiv on Monday.Ukraine’s NATO allies have began moving U.S.-manufactured F-16s to Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned final week, pronouncing that the fighter jets can be “flying within the skies of Ukraine this summer season to make certain that Ukraine can proceed to successfully protect itself towards the Russian aggression.”
A Belgian F-16 jet fighter on October 18, 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Monday that the selection of F-16 fighter jets his nation will obtain from allies this 12 months gained’t be enough to counter Russia’s air…
A Belgian F-16 jet fighter on October 18, 2022. Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Monday that the selection of F-16 fighter jets his nation will obtain from allies this 12 months gained’t be enough to counter Russia’s air power.
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Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium had pledged to ship Ukraine greater than 60 of the fighter jets to Ukraine this summer season. However Bloomberg reported on July 12, mentioning unnamed resources, that this 12 months, Ukraine would possibly get a long way fewer jets than it had was hoping—six this summer season and as much as 20 through the top of 2024.”I can’t say now what number of of those airplane there can be. They’ll now not be sufficient – for what? They’ll surely improve us, however will there be sufficient of those airplane to battle on par with the Russian air fleet? I imagine that they’re going to now not be sufficient. Do we predict extra? Sure,” Zelensky instructed newshounds.Russia’s Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a caution to the West on Would possibly 29 after Belgium pledged to ship a primary batch of F-16s to Ukraine this 12 months. Belgium has vowed to provide Ukraine with 30 F-16s prior to 2028.”They’re looking to let us know that the US and NATO would prevent at not anything in Ukraine,” Lavrov mentioned mentioned in an interview with state-run information company RIA Novosti. “However, we are hoping that the Russian-Belarusian drills on using non-strategic nuclear guns which can be underway now will knock some sense into our warring parties through reminding them concerning the catastrophic penalties of additional nuclear escalation.”Lavrov added: “Those airplane can be destroyed, like different kinds of guns equipped through NATO nations to Ukraine.”Zelensky has lengthy known as on his Western allies to supply his army with the complicated fighter jets to help within the conflict towards Russia, now in its 3rd 12 months.The Heart for Strategic and World Research, a U.S.-based suppose tank, mentioned in research printed final month that with the suitable technique, doctrinal manner, logistical give a boost to and coaching, F-16s “may supply a crucial advance in improving Ukraine’s border protection and setting up localized air superiority, considerably bolstering Ukraine’s place at the flooring.”Do you might have a tip on a global information tale that Newsweek must be overlaying? Do you might have a query concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict? Tell us by the use of worldnews@newsweek.com.
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