In Ukraine, in all likelihood, the first F-16 fighter jets have arrived somewhere on the territory of the belligerent country. This is indicated by images circulating since Monday, December 25, showing an American fighter plane repainted in the colors of the Kiev Air Force. As the Ukrainians wait for their actual commissioning in 2024, they are redoubling their efforts to challenge the Russians for control of the skies.
Published on: December 25, 2023 – 11:37 p.m
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With our correspondent in Kyiv, Stephane Siohan
It remains to be hoped that Santa's sleigh bypassed both the Black Sea sector and the Donbass sector on the night of December 24-25, since Kiev's anti-aircraft defenses were disrupted during the Ukrainian Christmas holidays shot down two Russian Sukhoi fighter jetsan SU-34 and an SU-30, two cruise missiles and no fewer than 28 Shahed drones.
“Something is happening, maybe Santa Claus has already brought us an F-16,” a well-known Ukrainian defense journalist cheered on Facebook.
It's not so well said: on Monday afternoon, the first images of an American F-16 fighter jet in anthracite appeared on social networks, this time with a trident and Ukrainian blue and yellow borders.
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According to several sources, the first aircraft would be transported discreetly through the west of the country, from airfield to airfield. True, according to our information, it is not possible to consider interviewing fighter pilots in Ukraine, since the vast majority of them undergo intensive training in Europe.
The Russian army already claims to have shot down some F-16s in Ukraine, although no evidence of their involvement has been presented, but after the ground, the sea, the battle for control of the skies above the trenches will begin very soon.