Ukraine Allowed to Strike Russian Territory with Dutch F-16s

Ukraine may use the F-16 fighters provided by the Netherlands to strike Russian territory. The Netherlands "did not impose any restrictions on the use or range of the F-16s" when transferring the aircraft.

This was stated by General Onno Eichelsheim of the Royal Netherlands Air Force in an interview with the publication NOS.

"Ukraine can use the resources we provide as it wishes, provided it adheres to the laws of war," emphasized Eichelsheim.

He also commented on Ukraine's offensive in the Kursk region of Russia, calling the operation by Ukrainian forces "brilliant on a practical level."

"They quickly captured a large area using new methods, thereby creating a dilemma for Putin," Eichelsheim said. According to Eichelsheim, the Kursk operation represents "at least the beginning of a possible strategic adjustment in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine."

The Netherlands has supplied Ukraine with 24 F-16 aircraft, but Eichelsheim did not specify how many have been deployed in the country.

On August 26, Ukraine used F-16s to repel a massive air attack that Russia launched on 15 regions of the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated at the “Ukraine 2024. Independence” forum.