Ukraine has started using Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets in combat, as Russia has launched the biggest aerial assault on civilian infrastructure for a second consecutive day. President Zelensky stated that the F-16 fighters successfully intercepted Russian missiles and drones before they could reach their targets. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s supporters for the F-16s but noted insufficient jets and pilots to operate them. Earlier this month, Ukraine received the first batch of fighter jets from the US-led coalition; however, the exact number of delivered aircraft was not disclosed.
On Tuesday, Russia carried out missile and drone attacks in numerous Ukrainian regions, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. It came a day after Moscow’s biggest air strike on its neighbouring country.
The White House and Pentagon were initially reluctant to offer them, fearing that Russian President Vladimir Putin would view it as an escalation. The US allies provided the fighter jets, and Ukrainian pilots have been undergoing training in the United States to operate them. The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine in early August.
The jets are capable of defending Ukrainian airspace from Russian incursions, shooting down drones and missiles, and providing support for troops on the ground. After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleaded, the Biden administration agreed to supply Ukraine with F-16s last year. Ukrainian pilots have been overmatched, flying older, Soviet-era warplanes.
The White House and the Pentagon have consistently rejected requests for advanced weaponry due to concerns that using them in battle would prompt Putin to escalate the war. Despite this, little changed after the Pentagon received long-range rocket artillery and its main battle tank, the Abrams.
Team BharatShakti (With Inputs from Reuters)
