‘F16s will give new confidence to our fighters and civilians’

Dozens of the American plane are set to be despatched to Kyiv after lengthy negotiations between the US and the 2 European nations.

During a go to to a Danish ­army base yesterday, Volodymyr Zelensky inspected the jets and mentioned they may have a game-changing impact on the battle.

He mentioned: “F-16s will certainly give new energy, confidence and motivation to fighters and civilians.

“I’m sure it will deliver new results for Ukraine and Europe.”

The first plane are anticipated to reach by the brand new yr.

Ukraine mentioned a few of its pilots had been already in coaching, but it surely might take as much as six months for employees to adapt to the brand new plane.

The pledge by the Netherlands and Denmark comes a couple of days after Washington accredited the attainable supply of the fighter jets by the 2 nations.

Mr Zelensky referred to as the choice a “breakthrough agreement” and mentioned the planes would assist strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and its counter-offensive.

Denmark will ship 19 jets in all, with the primary six as a result of be shipped to Ukraine by the beginning of subsequent yr adopted by eight extra in 2024 and 5 the next yr.

Confirming the choice, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned: “Please take this donation as a token of Denmark’s unwavering support for your country’s fight for freedom.

“We know that your freedom is our freedom. We also know that you need more.”

Mr Zelensky, who was accompanied on the go to to Denmark by his spouse Olena, immediately addressed the Ukrainian pilots and engineers being educated to function the brand new consignment of fighter jets.

He mentioned: “I wish you successful training and return home with your new wings as soon as possible to defend our country, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. I am ­confident in each of you.”

He smiled and chatted with Ms Frederiksen as they sat in an F-16 cockpit.

The pilots will proceed their coaching on international soil earlier than taking to the skies over Ukraine when the plane are delivered.

The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte mentioned his nation has 42 F-16s accessible.

But he has but to determine whether or not all of them shall be donated and what the timeframe is for ­sending them.

Mr Rutte mentioned at a joint press ­convention in Eindhoven: “We can announce that the Netherlands and Denmark commit to the transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine and the Ukrainian air force.”

He added that the Dutch jets can be handed over from current stockpiles as soon as “the conditions for such a transfer have been met”.

Denmark and the Netherlands have led a months-long effort to coach Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s and to finally ship the jets to assist counter the air superiority of Russia, whose forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov additionally confirmed that coaching had begun for Ukrainian pilots, however that it will take not less than six months and probably longer to additionally practice engineers and mechanics. Mr Zelensky referred to as the Dutch and Danish donations a “huge push for other countries who were in doubt” about offering Ukraine with F-16s.

Asked whether or not there have been situations hooked up to the donations, reminiscent of a dedication to not use them in Russian territory, Mr Zelensky mentioned that had not been mentioned however added that defending Ukrainian ­territory was the “main goal”.

Ukraine nonetheless makes use of Soviet-era planes from the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties – however Russia warned the F-16s would solely add gasoline to the battle.

Moscow’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, mentioned: “The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict.

“By hiding behind a premise that Ukraine itself must determine the conditions for peace, Denmark seeks with its actions and words to leave Ukraine with no other choice but to continue the military confrontation with Russia.”

News that F-16s shall be despatched to Kyiv got here because the horrifying human value of Russia’s invasion was laid naked yesterday.

US authorities sources final evening revealed that the mixed variety of troops killed or wounded on either side is now nearing 500,000. While asserting the horrifying determine, official Pentagon sources cautioned that casualty statistics nonetheless remained troublesome to estimate.

This is as a result of Moscow is believed to routinely undercount its conflict useless and injured.

In addition, Kyiv doesn’t ­disclose its official figures.

But in response to the US authorities officers, the Kremlin’s army ­casualties at the moment are approaching round 300,000.

This contains as many as 120,000 deaths and 170,000 to 180,000 who’re injured.

Ukrainian deaths at the moment are believed to be near 70,000, with 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.

Official US sources mentioned the casualty rely had picked up after Ukraine launched its counter-offensive earlier this yr.

Mr Zelensky, who was accompanied on the go to to Denmark by his spouse Olena, additionally immediately addressed the Ukrainian pilots and engineers being educated to function the brand new consignment of fighter jets.

He mentioned: “I wish you successful training and return home with your new wings as soon as possible to defend our country, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. To protect our people and our homes. I am confident in each of you.”

The President additional harassed that the entire of Ukraine was pleased with its defenders and wished them each success.

He additionally smiled and joked together with his spouse as they every sat within the cockpits of the F-16 fighter jets which shall be despatched to Ukraine within the coming months in a bid to assist Kyiv defend itself.

The pilots will proceed their coaching on international soil earlier than taking to the skies over Ukraine when the plane are delivered later within the yr.