Ukraine unveiled its newly arrived F-16 fighter jets, showcased by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized their importance in enhancing the country’s defense against Russia.

During Air Forces Day, Zelenskyy, with two F-16s on display and two flying overhead, expressed gratitude for the jets and highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to gain support from neighboring countries to defend against Russian missiles.

Despite concerns about escalation, Zelenskyy proposed a NATO-Ukraine council to discuss defense collaborations.

The F-16s, marked with Ukraine’s trident insignia, symbolize a significant step in Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Zelenskyy mentioned that these jets might be stationed abroad to safeguard them from Russian attacks, noting that Russian President Putin has threatened strikes on NATO-hosted warplanes.

The F-16s, iconic NATO aircraft, were donated by Western allies like Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, the Associated Press has reported.

Although the exact number of jets and their sources were not specified, the donation marks a strategic upgrade for Ukraine, albeit not a decisive change in the war’s dynamics.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to make incremental advances in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Written by B.C. Begley