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Zelenskyy Outlines F-16 Deliveries, Patriot Shortages, Starlink Limits and Frozen Assets
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Ukraine expects to receive additional F-16 fighter jets from Belgium by the end of 2026, with the aircraft already proving effective against Russia’s jet-powered Shahed drones, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a briefing after talks with European leaders, Babel reported on October 16.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had discussed further F-16 deliveries with the Belgian side and expected additional aircraft before the end of the year.
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“Today we use them to shoot down jet-powered Shaheds, and they are showing good results,” Zelenskyy stated, according to Babel.
The briefing also covered Ukraine’s wider air-defense needs. Zelenskyy acknowledged a major shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems, adding that much of the US supply was currently being redirected to the Middle East.
Ukraine continues receiving Patriot missiles not only from the US but also from European countries and other partners, Babel wrote.
Zelenskyy also addressed restrictions affecting Starlink. He emphasized that Ukraine was not looking to replace the service, but was working with several countries, including France, to create additional communications options.
“We are not talking about replacing Starlink. We are working with some countries, including France, to have additional capabilities,” Zelenskyy stated.
He also noted that Ukraine does not use Starlink for long-range strikes inside Russia, although Kyiv had previously asked both SpaceX and the White House to enable that capability.
According to Babel, Starlink was used in operations to intercept jet-powered Shaheds. Zelenskyy stated that after speed restrictions were introduced, Ukraine temporarily lost the ability to use the system effectively for those interceptions, and the limits have still not been fully lifted for the Defense Forces.
The Ukrainian president also addressed frozen Russian assets, emphasizing that Kyiv wants access to the funds before Moscow can regain control over them.
“We know clearly that they very much want them back. This is one of Russia’s goals. Ukraine wants to receive this money before Russia is able to do so,” Zelenskyy stated.
On intelligence sharing, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine receives data from dozens of countries, while the US continues providing information on ballistic missile launches.
“There are many challenges with ballistic missiles. We are working on every possible option so that Ukraine can be as independent as possible,” he added.
At the same EU summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Brussels was preparing a 22nd sanctions package against Russia and would not lift existing restrictions until Moscow ends the war. She also accused Russia of violating the energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump “not a single minute” after it was announced.
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