18.41°C Vancouver

Jul 31, 2024 5:22 PM - The Associated Press

Ukraine receives first F-16 fighter jets to bolster defenses against Russia, a US official tells AP

Share On
ukraine-receives-first-f-16-fighter-jets-to-bolster-defenses-against-russia-a-us-official-tells-ap
The U.S. has also been training Ukrainian pilots on how to fly the jets and has already graduated the first group of pilots on its operation.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighter jets that it has sought for months to fight back against an onslaught of Russian missile strikes, a U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press.

Ukraine has been pushing its Western allies for F-16s for Ukraine for months, saying they were critically needed to fight back against the onslaught of missiles Russia has fired against it. The F-16 is specialized in suppressing enemy air defenses.

The U.S. has also been training Ukrainian pilots on how to fly the jets and has already graduated the first group of pilots on its operation.

It’s not clear how many jets were provided in the first tranche or which nations provided them. The Ukrainian government has not confirmed receipt of the jets.

The arrival of the jets was first reported by Bloomberg.

Latest news

abbotsford-crash-motorcyclist-suffers-life-threatening-injuries-in-suv-collision
BCSep 10, 2026

Abbotsford Crash: Motorcyclist Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in SUV Collision

A motorcyclist has suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision with an SUV at the intersection of George Ferguson Way and Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford. According to police, the crash happened at around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital in critical condition and is currently fighting for their life. The SUV driver was not physically injured and is cooperating fully with investigators. Police have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Investigators are asking anyone with dashcam footage related to the collision to contact the Abbotsford Police Department.
BCSep 10, 2026

Abbotsford-Mission Byelection: Four Candidates Face Off in Debate on Key Issues

A debate featuring four candidates contesting the upcoming Abbotsford-Mission byelection concluded Wednesday night. The event, hosted by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, featured NDP candidate Pam Alexis, B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, CentreBC candidate Lakhwinder Kaur Jhajj and Green Party candidate Stephen Fowler. Transportation, affordability and taxation were among the key issues discussed. On the ongoing traffic problems along Highway 11, Jhajj advocated for expanding the highway to improve traffic flow. Findlay criticized the governing government’s policies on agricu
BCSep 10, 2026

Four Arrested After Stolen Truck Rams Police Vehicles in Quesnel

Quesnel RCMP arrested four people, including two teenage girls, after a stolen white Ford F-350 truck rammed into police vehicles in the B.C. Interior early Thursday morning. Police found the truck parked in Quesnel around 5 a.m. The vehicle had reportedly been stolen from the Hixon area, about 60 kilometres away, several hours earlier. When officers attempted to apprehend the occupants, the driver allegedly tried to flee and rammed the truck into police vehicles. Three police vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. A 31-year-old man who was driving the truck, a 29-year-old woman
70-year-old-man-sentenced-to-4-5-years-for-sexually-interfering-with-granddaughter
BCSep 10, 2026

70-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 4.5 Years for Sexually Interfering With Granddaughter

A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually interfering with his granddaughter in Prince George, B.C. The sentence was handed down by the B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George last week. The offence occurred between 2016 and 2021, when the victim was between six and 11 years old. The court heard that the abuse had a severe and lasting impact on the girl’s mental and emotional well-being, making it extremely difficult for her to attend school for years. The judge said the accused’s age and health were taken into consideration, but
AlbertaSep 10, 2026

Edmonton Gurdwara Attack: Charges Expected to Be Laid Against Suspect

Edmonton police are set to provide new updates this afternoon on their investigation into the stabbing incident at Nanaksar Gurdwara Sahib. Investigators say charges are expected to be laid against a 27-year-old man who allegedly entered the gurdwara on August 21, just one day after being released from jail, and attacked two people with a screwdriver. The two injured men, aged 75 and 51, are now out of danger and recovering, according to gurdwara officials. Police say the accused was previously in custody for aggravated assault and assaulting a police officer. He allegedly failed to report to

Related News