Ukraine Verifies Delivery of F-16s

War-torn country has sought access to the fighter jets in order to modernize its air defenses following Russia's invasion in 2022.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 04:27 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

Earlier this year, The Netherlands pledged dozens of F-16s to Ukraine. [Courtesy: The Netherlands Ministry of Defense]

Key Takeaways:

Ukraine has received a new batch of F-16 fighter jets, confirmed by President Zelenskyy, who also refuted Russian claims of downing them.
The specific number and origin of these newly arrived jets were not disclosed, though several countries have previously pledged F-16s to Ukraine.
These deliveries support Ukraine's long-term goal to modernize its air force for defense, following previous arrivals of F-16s and the training of Ukrainian pilots since last August.

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Ukraine has taken delivery of a batch of F-16 fighter jets, the country’s president confirmed Wednesday.

“Additional F-16s have arrived in Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists at a press conference Wednesday, the Kyiv Independent reported. “The Russians lied that they shot down something there, they didn’t shoot anything down. And the good news is that several F-16 aircraft have arrived in Ukraine.”