F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine, military assistance package from the US, and a Russian submarine sank near Crimea: Ukraine’s weekly news digest

While Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is in the middle of its third year, the situation is still intense, with regular updates on attacks on civilians, offensive and defensive operations, and responses from the international community.

Here is what you may have missed on the news from Ukraine from July 30 to August 5.

F-16 fighter jets are in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms

On August 4, the Day of the Ukrainian Air Force, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that F-16 fighter jets are already in Ukraine.

“I am proud of all our guys who are skillfully mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country. I thank all the partners who are truly helping with the F-16s, and the first countries that accepted our request for aircraft – Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States, – and all our partners, – we value your support,” stated the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In addition, in his commentary to the press, Zelenskyy shared that he expects partner states to expand the platform within which Ukrainian pilots and engineers are trained to operate F-16 fighter jets.

“The positive thing is that we are waiting for additional F-16 and that many of our guys are currently training. These are different training formats, different stages. I believe that the partners will find an opportunity to expand this [training – ed.], namely the platform of training and education of our pilots. And not only pilots – engineers, etc. It is very important for us,” Zelenskyy told the reporters.

Several partner states have committed to providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. On August 20, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced an agreement with the Netherlands and Denmark: 42 planes will come from the Netherlands and 19 from Denmark. The Norwegian government also shared its intention to provide Ukraine with F-16s.

In March 2024, the UK government informed that ten Ukrainian pilots had received basic flying, ground school, and language training in the UK and would then move on to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force.

Military assistance package from the US

On July 29, the US Department of Defense announced additional security assistance for Ukraine. The $200 million package aims to provide Ukraine with key military capabilities.

In particular, among them are munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS); short- and medium-range air defense munitions; RIM-7 missiles for air defense; electronic warfare equipment; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; 120mm mortar rounds; as well as other capabilities.

Furthermore, the US government proclaimed another $1.5 billion package of support within the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This package includes resources to increase Ukraine’s air defences, fires, and anti-tank weapons, as well as funding to sustain equipment previously committed by the United States.

Ukrainian forces sank a Russian submarine at the port of temporarily occupied Crimea

On August 2, Ukrainian forces successfully attacked the submarine of the Russian Black Sea Fleet “Rostov-on-Don” in the port of Sevastopol, in the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, due to the hit, the enemy boat sank on the spot.

“The destruction of “Rostov-on-Don” once again proves that there is no safe place for the Russian fleet in the Ukrainian territorial waters of the Black Sea. We thank the Ukrainian soldiers for their professional work! To be continued … Glory to Ukraine!” stated the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russian submarine B-237 “Rostov-on-Don” (according to NATO classification – Kilo class) is one of four submarines of the “Kilo” class capable of using Kalibr missiles. “Rostov-on-Don” was put into operation on December 26, 2014. On September 13, 2023, due to the Ukrainian missile attack, the vessel was seriously damaged and was undergoing repairs. The cost of the submarine is estimated at approximately $300 million.

The same day, the Ukrainian missile units, in cooperation with the Naval Forces of Ukraine, also significantly damaged four Russian launchers of the Triumf air defence system in the temporarily occupied Crimea. 

Read more: Russian death toll and other losses in Ukraine

Stats of the week

The bodies of 250 fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine as a result of repatriation operations. Source: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Date: August 2, 2024.

Approximately 80% of the forest plantings in the National Nature Park “Sviati Hory” (Holy Mountains) in the Donetsk region were destroyed due to Russian military aggression. Source: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine. Date: August 2, 2024.

Over the past week (from July 29 to August 3), Russia used more than 600 guided air bombs to attack Ukrainian territories. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. Date: August 3, 2024.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Air Force has shot down more than 8,000 Russian air targets, including hundreds of aircraft and helicopters, thousands of cruise missiles and drones. Source: Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Date: August 4, 2024.