EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands and Denmark announced Sunday they will give F-16 warplanes to Ukraine, a long-awaited announcement that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called an important motivation for his country’s forces, embroiled in a difficult counteroffensive against Russia.
The promise of new fighter jets came the day after an unusually brazen Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian theater that killed seven people and wounded almost 150 others in the northern city of Chernihiv. Zelenskyy vowed stern retaliation for the attack, whose victims included a slain 6-year-old girl dead and 15 wounded children.
After months of entreaties from Zelenskyy for F-16s to bolster the Ukrainian air force, the U.S. recently gave approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to provide Ukraine the American-made jets. Zelenskyy travelled to both countries Sunday to finalize the delivery deals.
’’F-16s will certainly give new energy, confidence, and motivation to fighters and civilians. I’m sure it will deliver new results for Ukraine and the entire Europe,″ the Ukrainian leader said.
Ukraine hopes the jets will give it a combat edge, after launching a counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she hoped the first Danish F-16s could be handed over to Ukraine around New Year. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte didn’t provide a timeframe, saying it depends on how soon Ukrainian crews and infrastructure are ready. He and Zelenskyy inspected two gray F-16s parked in a hangar at a Dutch base in the southern city of Eindhoven.
Peter Dejong – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte talk as they walk towards a press conference in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. The leaders met at a military air base in the southern Dutch city, a day after Zelenskyy visited Sweden on his first foreign trip since attending a NATO summit in Lithuania last month. On Friday, the Netherlands and Denmark said that the United States had given its approval for the countries to deliver F-16s to Ukraine.
“The F-16s will not help immediately now with the war effort. It is anyway a long-term commitment from the Netherlands,” the Dutch leader said. “We want them to be active and operational as soon as possible. … Not for the next month, that’s impossible, but hopefully soon afterward.”
A few hours later, Zelenskyy was received by Frederiksen along with the country’s foreign minister, defense minister and Crown Princess Mary at the Skrydstrup air base in southern Denmark. The two leaders climbed into a Danish F-16 and tried out the seats.
Frederiksen said Denmark would provide 19 F-16 jets to Ukraine. She said “hopefully” six could be delivered around New Year, eight more next year and the remaining five in 2025.
“Please take this donation as a token of Denmark’s unwavering support for your country’s fight for freedom,” the Danish prime minister said.
The Netherlands did not specify the number of planes it would provide. Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel that Ukraine would get 42 jets.
Zelenskyy said the Dutch and Danish donations were a “huge push for other countries who were in doubt” about providing Ukraine with F-16s. Asked whether there were conditions to Ukraine receiving the fighters jets, such as a commitment to not using them in Russian territory, Zelenskyy said that had not been discussed but added that defending Ukrainian territory was the “main goal.”
The Dutch and Danish governments are also involved in a coalition that is working to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the advanced fighter jets.
Zelenskyy declined to say how many Ukrainian pilots would undergo training in Denmark and later in Romania, citing security reasons. Denmark said Friday that the training is starting this month, and officials have previously said that Ukrainian pilots will need six to eight months of training.
Frederiksen said “more than 70” Ukrainian personnel were already in Denmark and getting ready to start training.
On Friday, the Netherlands and Denmark said the U.S. had authorized them to deliver American-made F-16s to Ukraine. Washington’s approval was seen as a major boost for Kyiv, even though the fighter jets won’t have an immediate impact on the almost 18-month war.
Washington says the F-16s — like the advanced U.S. Abrams tanks — will be crucial in the long term as Kyiv faces down Russia.
Ukraine has been relying on older aircraft, such as Russian-made MiG29 and Sukhoi jets. F-16s have newer technology and targeting capabilities. They are also more versatile, experts say.
Zelenskyy was set to address the Danish Parliament on Monday.
In Ukraine, the governor of the Chernihiv region, Vyacheslav Chaus, said Sunday that the total number of people confirmed to have been wounded in the theater attack in the city center Saturday had risen to 148.
“I am sure our soldiers will respond to Russia for this terrorist attack. Respond tangibly,” Zelenskyy said in a video address published in the early hours of Sunday at the end of a visit to Sweden.
In eastern Ukraine, Kharkiv regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said Sunday that Russia was shelling the city of Kupiansk “all day long,” with an attack on Sunday afternoon in the city center wounding 11 people. A man was killed in Russian shelling of Vovchansk, also in the Kharkiv region, according to Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Ministry.
Meanwhile in Russia on Sunday, the Defense Ministry said Sunday that its air defense systems had prevented an attack by three drones on the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
Russian air defenses also jammed a drone flying towards Moscow early Sunday, causing it to crash. Russia’s Defense Ministry called it “an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack.”
Moscow’s Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports briefly suspended flights, but no victims or damage were reported.
In the city of Kursk, five people were wounded when a Ukrainian drone hit a train station, regional Gov. Roman Starovoit said. Kursk is the capital of the western region of the same name, which borders Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities, who generally avoid commenting on attacks on Russian soil, didn’t say whether it launched the attacks.
Drone strikes on the Russian border regions are a fairly regular occurrence. Attacks deeper inside Russian territory have been on the rise since a drone was destroyed over the Kremlin in early May. Successful strikes have exposed the vulnerabilities of Moscow’s air defense systems.
___
Ritter reported from Stockholm. Elise Morton in London and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed.
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, eats his breakfast at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, eats his breakfast at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his son, Vadym, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his son, Vadym, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Aleksandr Zhylchenko, right, and Ruslan Ryzhko, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, leave a facility after an exercise at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Aleksandr Zhylchenko, right, and Ruslan Ryzhko, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, leave a facility after an exercise at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023.Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, touches the door frame as he walks into his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, touches the door frame as he walks into his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vladyslav Yeshchenko, a 24-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his partner at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vladyslav Yeshchenko, a 24-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his partner at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Guided by trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, foreground, Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, learns to navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Guided by trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, foreground, Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, learns to navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield.Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, blows out candles on his birthday cake at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, blows out candles on his birthday cake at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers.Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, listens to his fiancee as he and other veterans get ready for a program at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, listens to his fiancee as he and other veterans get ready for a program at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, pauses for a photo while changing in his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, pauses for a photo while changing in his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets puts eye drops into the eyes of her fiance Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, in their room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets puts eye drops into the eyes of her fiance Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, in their room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023.Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his fiancee Vlada Ryabets toward a dining hall at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, walks with his fiancee Vlada Ryabets toward a dining hall at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, center right, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, dances with Olesia Perepechenko, an executive director of Modern Sight, while celebrating his birthday at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, center right, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, dances with Olesia Perepechenko, an executive director of Modern Sight, while celebrating his birthday at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets, left, helps blindfolded Tatiana Zhylchenko walk down the steps during an exercise designed to help partners living with soldiers blinded in the war better understand what the veterans experience, at a rehabilitation center near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets, left, helps blindfolded Tatiana Zhylchenko walk down the steps during an exercise designed to help partners living with soldiers blinded in the war better understand what the veterans experience, at a rehabilitation center near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi places his hand over the hand of Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, to help him memorize a route before they start navigating the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi places his hand over the hand of Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, to help him memorize a route before they start navigating the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, right, and Ivan Soroka, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, use their canes to navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of their training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, right, and Ivan Soroka, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, use their canes to navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of their training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield.Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, sits for a photo in his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, sits for a photo in his room at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, left, and Ivan Soroka, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, ride a public bus as part of their training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023.Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, left, and Ivan Soroka, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, ride a public bus as part of their training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023.Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
A trainer holds out his arm to prevent Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, from colliding with a pole while helping him navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
A trainer holds out his arm to prevent Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, from colliding with a pole while helping him navigate the streets of Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Accompanied by trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, gets off a public bus in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Accompanied by trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, Ivan Soroka, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, gets off a public bus in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023, as part of training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Former Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Ryzhko exercises at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Former Ukrainian soldier Ruslan Ryzhko exercises at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Over the course of several weeks, the veterans, accompanied by their families, reside at the rehabilitation center. Most receive their first canes here, take their first walks around urban and natural environments without assistance, and learn to operate programs on phones and computers. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, right, helps Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, avoid obstacles in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Trainer Vasyl Hoshovskyi, right, helps Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, avoid obstacles in Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as part of his training at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Blindfolded Vlada Ryabets stands in a room with a cane during an exercise designed to help partners living with soldiers blinded in the war better understand what the veterans experience at a rehabilitation center near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Blindfolded Vlada Ryabets stands in a room with a cane during an exercise designed to help partners living with soldiers blinded in the war better understand what the veterans experience at a rehabilitation center near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets, left, leans on her fiance Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as they gather for a birthday party for former soldier Oleksandr Zhylchenko. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Vlada Ryabets, left, leans on her fiance Ivan Soroka, a 27-year-old former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023, as they gather for a birthday party for former soldier Oleksandr Zhylchenko. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, left, Denys Abdulin, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, learn to use a kitchen knife during a cooking class at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Oleksandr Zhylchenko, left, Denys Abdulin, two former Ukrainian soldiers blinded in the war, learn to use a kitchen knife during a cooking class at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 20, 2023. Â
-
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Flanked by trainers, Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, learns to use a kitchen knife during a cooking class at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
Jae C. Hong, Associated Press
Flanked by trainers, Denys Abdulin, a former Ukrainian soldier blinded in the war, learns to use a kitchen knife during a cooking class at a rehabilitation center designed for soldiers who lost their vision on the battlefield, near Rivne, Ukraine, on July 21, 2023. Â
-
Denmark and Netherlands pledge to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
Mads Claus Rasmussen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in a F-16 fighter jet at Skrydstrup Airbase, in Vojens, Denmark, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Mads Claus Rasmussen
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in a F-16 fighter jet at Skrydstrup Airbase, in Vojens, Denmark, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
