According to media reports, the first batch of F-16 fighters has arrived in Ukraine, which could influence the course of the war. And while journalists are actively publishing information about the planes, the authorities are in no hurry to comment on this event.
At the end of July, the Western, and then the Ukrainian, media published information that Ukraine had finally, after a long wait, received the first delivery of F-16 fighters.
Bloomberg was one of the first to report .
The first batch of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies has arrived in Ukraine, a welcome move that could boost the war-torn country’s ability to fend off Russian attacks.
Official Kyiv has not yet confirmed nor denied the published information. The Office of the President only said that they would not comment on reports that the first F-16 fighters had been delivered to Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not making official statements today if we receive certain types of weapons. Either the president or the commander-in-chief will comment on this,” said Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the OP.
He added that the media publish information speculations. And the supply of fighters is a topic where the “fog of war” is very appropriate, because it should be reflected in a certain way on the battlefield.
“I’m not even talking about the Ukrainian side. We will not comment on this = neither “yes” nor “no”. Why? Because for us this is a factor of significant survival, it implies an aviation component. To say exactly whether there is or not depends on we don’t need this in our time,” Podolyak emphasized.