Russia threatened today that the F-16 fighter jets promised to Ukraine by the West will be shot down, arguing that these aircraft will have little effect on the battlefield.
"There is no magic pill or panacea, and the Kyiv regime's air force will not have such a panacea," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that "these planes (...) will be shot down."
"But it is clear that these deliveries cannot have a significant impact on the course of events on the front line," he added.
For almost two years, Ukraine has been asking its Western allies for the supply of F-16s, considered the 'crown jewel' of the extensive list of military equipment that Kyiv has requested from its supporters. According to some media, the American-made fighter jets have already been delivered.
Several NATO countries have pledged to supply a varying number of fighter jets and have been training Ukrainian pilots and crews for months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made improving air defenses a top priority in meetings with allies following Russia’s aggressive air campaign in recent months. In an interview with Agence France Presse in May, Zelensky outlined the need for about 130 F-16s to ensure parity with the Russian air force.
However, Ukraine’s partners have committed to sending fewer than 100 F-16s so far, with most of the aircraft likely to arrive over several years after pilot training.
