The United States and its allies have announced intentions to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter planes to improve its long-term protection, according to a high-ranking White House official.
The source pointed out that the F-16 planes would not be used in Ukraine's impending counteroffensive against Russia in the one-year-long war, per NBC News. The US and its partners have not decided on the F-16s' delivery schedule, quantity, and suppliers.
President Joe Biden notified the leaders of major industrialized countries that the US would finance Ukrainian F-16 pilot training.
Providing F-16s to Ukraine had previously been seen as impractical. Thus, the move represents a significant shift in Washington's stance.
In February, Joe Biden told ABC News that the US military assessment indicated Ukraine did not need F-16 jet fighters in the ongoing war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the US and President Biden's unprecedented support for a multinational fighter aircraft alliance. He noted that he was anticipating talks about the execution of the plan at the upcoming G7 meeting in Hiroshima.
I welcome the historic decision of the United States and @POTUS to support an international fighter jet coalition. This will greatly enhance our army in the sky. I count on discussing the practical implementation of this decision at the #G7 summit in Hiroshima.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2023
Although there were suggestions that the US might permit other nations to begin preparations for sending Western fighter planes, US allies did not expect Washington's direct participation in an F-16 training program, according to The Guardian.
Yehor Cherniev, deputy head of the Ukrainian parliament's national security committee, projected that F-16s might be operational four months after training.
Russia-Ukraine War Update
Meanwhile, some parts of Ukraine reported explosions during air raid alarms, per ABC. On Telegram, the Ukrainian military issued alerts on the presence of Russian aircraft and the possibility of hypersonic Kinzhal missile attacks across all areas.
Russian access routes were being bombed, according to Ukrainian soldiers positioned close to the front line, to block the Ukrainian attack. Ukraine claimed to have resisted Russian strikes and gained up to one kilometer in some locations, providing time for planned actions.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian military and Russia's Wagner private army reported more Russian withdrawals near Bakhmut, marking Kyiv's biggest gain in six months as it prepared for a counterattack.
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