Ukraine to receive F-16s

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (right) sit in an F-16 on Sunday in Vojens, Denmark. Associated Press/Photo by Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix

Denmark and the Netherlands will train Ukrainian pilots to fly the supersonic fighter jets before delivering them to Ukraine. The United States had to approve the transfer of the jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his nation would receive 42 of the fighter jets, but he would not say how many pilots were being trained.

How will Ukraine use the planes? Zelenskyy said the Western fighter jets could speed up and support Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Ukraine so far has relied on older aircraft in its war with Russia. After wait times for delivery and training, Ukraine is expected to be able to use the jets by spring 2024.

Dig deeper: Read J. Daryl Charles’ column in WORLD Opinions about the moral reasoning behind U.S. support for Ukraine.

Lynde Langdon

Lynde is WORLD’s executive editor for news. She is a graduate of World Journalism Institute, the Missouri School of Journalism, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Lynde resides with her family in Wichita, Kan.

@lmlangdon