F-16s from Dutch, Danes will 'deliver new results for Ukraine,' Zelenskyy says: Live updates
Denmark and the Netherlands announced plans Sunday to provide Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets once Ukrainian pilots and engineers have completed training on the high-tech planes.
The decision came two days after the White House agreed to allow nations owning the U.S.-made fighters to provide them to Ukraine in its struggle to turn back the Russian invasion that began 18 months ago.
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the deal "a long-term step, which sends a clear signal that we will continue supporting Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes. Military support, humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts."
Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy, who visited both countries Sunday to discuss details of the plan, said Kyiv would get 42 F-16s from the Netherlands. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she hoped to deliver 19 planes, the first six possibly by year's end. She said she was proud that Denmark can make an important contribution to Ukraine's defense against Russia and their "senseless aggression."
"Even though Denmark is a small country, we are now leading the way in supporting Ukraine," she said.
Zelenskyy said the jets will "deliver new results" for Ukraine and Europe.
"I also thank @POTUS Joseph Biden, both parties in the U.S. Congress, and the entire American people," Zelenskyy said on social media. "For their unwavering support and continuously positive steps for the aviation coalition and for the benefit of our common freedom."
Developments:
∎ Three Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian air defense systems in the Russia's Belgorod border region, the Russian defense ministry said Sunday. Local Russian authorities said 20 drones had actually been shot down.
∎ Zelenskyy, asked at a briefing in Denmark about territorial concessions in exchange for NATO membership, said his country was "ready to exchange Belgorod for our membership in NATO."
Is progress stalled? Why the Ukrainian counteroffensive is making little progress against Russian defense.
Zelenskyy defends counteroffensive, won't criticize West
Zelenskyy, speaking Sunday in Denmark, blamed a lack of tanks and other powerful weapons for the slow progress of his military's counteroffensive. Ukrainian authorities last winter had spoken of a spring push, but it started in June and results have been incremental at best.
"We had a shortage of tanks. Thousands of people could die," he said as reported by Interfax. "We waited until we had the power." But he declined to criticize the West for not handing over a larger set of weapons more quickly.
"I receive support from our partners," he said. "That's why I can only be grateful for such support today."
Deadly Russian missile strike targeted crowd at drone expo
A Russian missile strike that killed at least seven people in the Chernihiv City center Saturday apparently targeted a theater hosting an expo on military drones. The assault on the Taras Shevchenko Theater also injured 117.
The Institute for the Study of War said the drone expo called "Angry Birds" had previously toured other Ukrainian cities. Organizers only shared the location of the event with people who registered and were screened before attending, the Washington-based think tank said. The event ended shortly after an air raid warning, and organizers advised people to hide in a shelter. Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said Russian forces are routinely targeting public events for the emotional impact on Ukrainians.
"Public events are always a risk and a lottery, whether the information is released or not," Malyar said. "There is no safe place in Ukraine today."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war live updates: Dutch, Danes to give F-16s to Ukraine
