US approves sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and Netherlands
US approves sending F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark and Netherlands
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-approves-sending-f-16s-ukraine-denmark-netherlands-2023-08-17/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20Aug%2017%20(Reuters),U.S.%20official%20said%20on%20Thursday.
The United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend against Russian invaders as soon as pilot training is completed, a U.S. official said on Thursday.
"I am writing to express the United States' full support for both the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and for the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors [...] It remains critical that Ukraine is able to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty" said Blinken.
Will this solidify a Ukrainian victory?
U.S. officials have privately said that F-16 jets would have been of little help to Ukraine in its current counteroffensive and will not be a game changer when they eventually arrive given Russian air defense systems and contested skies over Ukraine
Or will Russian radar and missle systems tear them up?