Netherlands delivers their first batch of F-16s to Ukraine

Ukraine receives more F-16s as the Netherlands has delivered their first batch of the fighter jets.

Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans confirmed on Sunday the first “Dutch F-16s have been delivered” to Ukraine.

He said, “For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine.

“This is urgently needed. In Kharkiv, I saw the damage from Russian airstrikes and heard frequent air raid alarms. The rest of the 24 jets will follow in the coming months.”

In August Vladimir Putin placed a bounty on the fighter jets of around £135,000 and the Kremlin has vowed the F-16s “will be shot down.”

The Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Their number will gradually decrease, they will be shot down… But of course, these deliveries will not have any significant impact on the development of events on the front.”

Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Office of the President said, “Ukraine will not officially confirm the arrival of F-16. In this matter, ‘the fog of war is very useful’.”