Dutch Defense Minister officially announces that Ukraine has received its first F-16s

Defense Minister of The Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans announced the first delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. He emphasized the need for them after his visit to Kharkiv.

This was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on his Facebook page on Sunday, October 6.

The Netherlands handed over fighter jets to Ukraine

For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16 fighters have been delivered to Ukraine," Brekelmans wrote.

He added that this was urgently needed because when he was in Kharkiv he saw damage from Russian air strikes and heard frequent air raid alarms.

"The remaining 24 sides will arrive in the coming months," the defense minister said.

Minister of Defense of The Netherlands visits Kharkiv

Brekelmans shared the photos he took during his trip to Kharkiv. He visited one of the high-rise buildings destroyed by Russian strikes on the city. 

"In Kharkiv, I saw the consequences of Russian bombing. Destroyed apartments, lack of electricity. Children who go to school in bunkers," the minister signed the photos.

He noted that Ukraine can only protect itself by keeping Russia at a greater distance.

As a reminder, France will provide Ukraine with new military aid. The armed forces will receive 12 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers.

As we wrote earlier, Ukraine has already received more than a third of the planned ammunition from the Czech initiative. The rest is to be delivered by the end of this year.