Ukraine-News: ++ Ukraine abandons hope to deploy F-16 fighter jets this year ++

Status: 06:58 am | Reading Time: 3 minutes

DAccording to Ukraine, it will not be able to use US-made F-16 fighter jets this year. “It is already clear that Ukraine cannot be defended by F-16 fighter jets this fall and winter,” Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television at a fundraiser. “We had high hopes that this aircraft would become part of our air defense and protect us from Russian missiles and drone terrorism.”

Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies for F-16 fighter jets. US President Joe Biden backed plans to train Ukrainian pilots in F-16s in May, but has yet to provide a timeline for delivery. The West has repeatedly stressed that it does not want to provoke a direct conflict between NATO and Russia, the US-backed military alliance.

All Improvements in Live Ticker:

04:20 – Ukraine rejects gas transit talks with Russia

The government in Kiev does not want to participate in negotiations with Russia on the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory. “We will definitely not participate in negotiations with the Russians, that’s absolutely clear,” Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko told the Voice of America (VOA) Ukraine service, a US government-funded broadcaster.

“Next year will show whether Europe can do without Russian gas.” In his view, there are prerequisites for this. Russia has promised to extend the Ukraine gas transit agreement beyond 2024 if the European Union (EU) continues to need Russian gas. The European Union has pledged to end the use of Russian gas by 2027 as part of sanctions against Russia over its aggression in Ukraine.

00:45 – Mayor: 45,000 Moscow residents fighting in Ukraine

According to Moscow’s mayor, 45,000 residents of the capital are fighting the Russian offensive in Ukraine. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said they were “a significant part of the militants there.” At least 5,000 of the recruited Muscovites were professional soldiers. Russian and Ukrainian officials rarely provide information on the number of militants involved or casualties.

10:02 pm – Zelenskyy: Ukraine increases drone production

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of drones in defending his country against Russian aggression. “Drones are the “eyes” and front-line security. (…) Drones guarantee that people do not have to give their lives in situations where drones can be used,” Zelenskyj said in his evening video address. Ukraine is in the process of “significantly” increasing production of drones. Zelenskyj also underlined the importance of drone delivery by international partners.

“In every brigade, the first thing the fighters ask for is drones, electronic warfare and military air defense,” the Ukrainian head of state said, referring to several front visits he has made in recent days.

9:22 pm – Sweden is investigating suspected sanctions violations

The Swedish government suspects that increased exports to Russia’s neighbors could signal a breach of sanctions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm has therefore announced that investigations have been handed over to the National Trade Commission. After the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden, like many other countries, imposed punitive measures aimed at hitting Russia’s economy.

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