Zelensky: Half of Ukraine's F-16 jets under repair in other European countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that a significant portion of the country's F-16 fighter jets are currently unavailable for combat duty because they are undergoing repairs.

According to Zelensky, roughly half of Ukraine's F-16 fleet has for some time been located in other European countries, where repair and maintenance work is being carried out. The president shared this information publicly but did not specify which countries are performing the repairs, how long the process is expected to take, or the causes of the damage.

The F-16 fighter jets were supplied to Ukraine by Western allies as part of wartime military assistance against Russia's invasion. These aircraft are considered an important asset for strengthening Ukraine's air force, but their operation and maintenance require specialized infrastructure and technical personnel that are not always available within Ukraine itself under wartime conditions.

The fact that half of the available jets are simultaneously undergoing repair may indicate the additional strain caused by intensive use or damage sustained in combat. It also underscores Ukraine's reliance on technical support from European countries to keep this aviation equipment combat-ready.