FILE PHOTO: Netherlands' Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies' airspace in the northern and northeastern region of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo
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Other Western countries have also promised to send F-16s to Ukraine. The Netherlands plays a leading role in this coalition, especially when it comes to training the crews and arming the fighters.
Earlier, Kaisa Ollongren said that 24 F-16 fighter jets, which the Netherlands plans to transfer to Ukraine, can be used to strike targets on Russian territory.
A number of other countries have allowed the use of their weapons on the territory of the Russian Federation. These are Canada, France, Great Britain, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, Czech Republic and Finland. In addition, Denmark also said that the Ukrainians would be able to use their F-16s to strike targets in Russia.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that this month can bring Ukraine even more strength, especially in protecting the sky, he pointed out that long-range weapons, fighter jets for Ukraine – of sufficient quality and quantity, and more many air defense systems – are crucial factors affecting the entire course of this war and must influence it exclusively in their favor.
“Today, I had several meetings with our international relations team. The team of the Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We discussed in detail all the plans for the month of July – this month can bring Ukraine even more strength, especially in terms of protecting the sky and bringing real security to our country. We clearly see what we need to achieve in the negotiations with our partners – first of all the American ones, ” the president of Ukraine said.
Zelenski says he met with a congressional delegation – a bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives.
“I thanked America, all American friends of Ukraine and the rules-based international order. It is very important to maintain the steadfast belief that life must prevail over the Russian war and over all of Putin’s hostile ambitions. This is absolutely possible. But it is possible only with the continuous courage not only of our people, but also of our partners” , Zelenski emphasizes.
He also says that “long-range weapons, fighter jets for Ukraine – of sufficient quality and quantity, and more air defense systems – are crucial factors that affect the entire course of this war and must influence it exclusively in our favor – in the common interest of all nations that value life and desire a peaceful world, and so it shall be.”
“Also, we are preparing new joint measures with our partners in Europe, and the coming months should demonstrate progress in bringing Ukraine closer to the European Union, including the screening procedure and the preparation of the terms of the future agreement on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. There will also be new bilateral security agreements with our partners” , says Volodymyr Zelenski.
Russia Offers Rewards To Its Pilots For Firsts F-16 Plane Shot Down In Ukraine
Russia has announced a reward of 15 million rubles (about $170,000) for the downing of the first F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported, according to AFP.
The amount will be paid by the Russian company FORES, which specializes in the production of machinery and equipment for the oil industry.
“Rewards will also be given to those who shoot down the next F-16 or F-15 in the area of the special military operation” in Ukraine, said the deputy executive director of the Russian company FORES, Ilia Potanin. However, the amount for these was not specified.
The company representative wanted to specify, instead, the fact that the largest reward, of approximately $170,000 will be awarded only for the first F-16 downed in Ukraine.
The announcement was made during an award ceremony for Russian soldiers for destroying several Western-made tanks in Avdeevka, in eastern Ukraine.
“Today, for the seventh time, we awarded rewards for destroyed tanks. It turned out that about 17 American-made Abrams and German-made Leopard tanks were destroyed. Thus, we awarded 500,000 rubles (approximately 5,196 euros) for each armored ,” Potanin said.
Ukraine is to receive six F-16 fighter jets in the coming months.
Russia has warned from the outset that these aircraft will become legitimate targets for its forces once they appear in the combat zone.
GVM/APE/AFP
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