Ukraine to Receive F-16 Jets, Some to be Stationed at Secure Airbases Outside the Country

Jun 10, 2024, 09:29 AM

Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets from Western partners, but not all of them will be based in Ukraine. According to Serhiy Holubtsov, head of aviation for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, some of these jets will be stationed at secure airbases outside the country to prevent them from becoming targets for Russian attacks. Holubtsov mentioned to Radio Liberty that these airbases will serve as a reserve to ensure a certain number of aircraft remain in the operational fleet. However, Andrey Kartapolov, head of the military committee and State Duma, stated that F-16s and the airfields where they are based outside of Ukraine will become legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces if they participate in combat missions.