In Ukraine, in all likelihood, the first F-16 fighter jets arrived somewhere on the territory of the warring country. This is suggested by images circulating since Monday, December 25, showing an American fighter repainted in the colors of the Kiev air force. While awaiting their effective entry into service in 2024, the Ukrainians are redoubling their efforts to challenge the Russians for control of the sky.
1 min
With our correspondent in kyiv, Stéphane Siohan
It is to be hoped that Santa’s sleigh avoided the Black Sea sector as well as the Donbass sector on the night of December 24-25, because during the Ukrainian Christmas holidays, Kiev’s anti-aircraft defenses shot down two Russian Sukhoi fighter jetsan SU-34 and an SU-30, two cruise missiles, and no less than 28 Shahed drones.
“ Something’s going on, maybe Santa Claus already brought us an F-16 », Rejoices a well-known Ukrainian defense journalist on Facebook.
It’s not so well said: Monday afternoon, the first visuals appeared on social networks of an American F-16 fighter, anthracite color, this time displaying the trident, and Ukrainian blue and yellow edging.
Read alsoUS President Joe Biden paves way for delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine
According to several sources, the first planes would be transported discreetly through the west of the country, from airfield to airfield. While according to our information, it is not possible to consider interviewing fighter pilots in Ukraine, since the vast majority of them are undergoing intensive training in Europe.
The Russian army already claims to have shot down some F-16s in Ukraine, although no proof of their commitment has been provided, but after the ground, the sea, very soon the battle will begin for control of the sky , above the trenches.