The first delivery of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies has arrived in Ukraine.
The US-made warplanes are intended to give the battle-weary nation a much-needed boost as it struggles to end Russia’s air dominance.
The delivery came just ahead of the deadline for the transfer of fighters, and it wasn’t yet clear whether Ukrainian pilots will be able to jump into the cockpits and enter the battle — or more training and preparation will be required.
The number of jets included in the delivery was not immediately known, but a source told Bloomberg the total was “small.”
President Biden finally approved sending the warplanes to the region in May after repeated pleas from NATO allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.