Russian Pilots “Will Have New Medals, Prepared for F-16s” As Jets “Will Fly in Ukraine This Summer” – News18

The first F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine and will be flying sorties this summer, according to a statement from the Dutch and Danish governments. Netherlands PM Dick Schoof and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said the “transfer process” of F-16s to Kyiv was underway. The two leaders said “Ukraine will be flying operational F-16s this summer” – the first of about 85 of the combat aircraft pledged to Kyiv. The move ends a lengthy wait for Ukraine whose president has been lobbying for at least 18 months for F-16s. Zelensky said he was grateful to Denmark, the Netherlands, and the US for taking what he described as “practical steps of assistance.”Meanwhile, Andrey Kartapolov, a top Russian lawmaker, said the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine will not affect the course of the war. Kartapolov noted that after the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine, Russian pilots “will have new stars on their fuselages and new medals on their chests.”