Newsweek says the first Western F-16 jets may already be in Ukraine. Journalists learned about this from their insiders in the USA.
The latest events confirm the rumours about the F-16 supply to Ukraine
According to an anonymous source, it is quite possible that the first plane is already in Ukraine and can be used by the Ukraine's Armed Forces soldiers.
Journalists drew attention to the fact that pro-Russian Telegram channels are increasingly reporting that Ukrainian soldiers are already using Western fighter jets.
Newsweek contacted the Ukrainian command for comment but has not received a response.
It is also noted that there has been no official confirmation or denial of this information yet.
Despite this, journalists decided to analyse the events on the battlefield.
They drew attention to the fact that on the afternoon of December 22, in the southern direction, Ukrainian soldiers managed to shoot down three enemy Su-34 aircraft at once.
What is also important to understand is that in the last three weeks, the Russians have lost as many as eight of their planes.
The most resonant event of recent months was Ukraine's destruction of the Russian large landing ship "Novocherkassk" in temporarily occupied Feodosia. It happened on the night of December 26.
As you know, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck an enemy target with cruise missiles from tactical aviation.
According to journalists, Ukraine's high-profile successes indicate it has already received at least one F-16 fighter.
Ignat denies that Ukraine has already received the F-16
A team at the American Institute for the Study of War recently suggested that Ukraine could receive the first F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2023. Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said this will not happen this year.
Everything is going according to plan, as stipulated by the agreements with partners, a coalition of countries that are helping us transition to a new type of aircraft for us — the F-16, which will be the main aircraft in the service of our Air Force, the spokesman explained.
However, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently confirmed that his country is preparing the first 18 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine but did not specify when this would happen.
