Zelenskyy Talks F-16 Fleet Expansion and Accelerating Pilot Training in Latest Address

On September 17, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided updates on Ukraine’s ongoing military efforts and government initiatives during his latest address.

According to Zelenskyy, the military component of Ukraine’s “Victory Plan” has seen significant progress. Following consultations with the military command, a comprehensive and robust defense package has been developed, aimed at bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.

Zelenskyy also discussed efforts to expand Ukraine’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets. During a meeting with the Air Force command, concrete steps were outlined to increase the number of combat aircraft and accelerate the training of Ukrainian pilots. The Ministry of Defense has been tasked with overseeing these efforts.

In addition, the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine reviewed new strategies from two key ministries— the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. While these strategies are ambitious, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Ukrainian people see tangible results from government efforts.

The President also addressed the situation in Sumy and the surrounding areas following recent Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. He noted that power outages have affected the region, but repair crews are actively working to restore services. A coordination center has been established to manage recovery efforts, with contributions from energy workers, local authorities, and emergency services.

Marking Ukraine’s Rescue Workers’ Day, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to all members of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) for their dedication.