In a significant milestone, Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets recorded their first victory against Russia after being deployed to counter the latest missile and drone attack. The US-made aircraft played a crucial role in mitigating the damage caused by Monday's massive assault, which saw over 200 missiles and drones launched from Russia, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to the international partners who provided Ukraine with F-16s, stating that the deployment yielded "very good results." However, he acknowledged that more jets and trained pilots were required to bolster their defense capabilities.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have pledged to supply Ukraine with over 80 additional F-16s after securing approval from the Biden-Harris administration. The first batch of planes and trained pilots arrived about three weeks prior to the recent attack. This support comes as a timely and much-needed assistance for Ukraine.

According to the Ukrainian air force, their F-16s and aerial defense systems successfully shot down 102 missiles and 99 drones during Monday's onslaught. While these claims remain unverified independently, the attack caused significant damage, claiming the lives of at least four individuals. Major power stations were also targeted, triggering widespread blackouts in the country.

The Kremlin has alleged that the attack specifically targeted Kyiv's energy infrastructure and airfields. However, newly installed rocket-intercepting systems have been effective in safeguarding the F-16s and protecting key installations. President Zelensky and military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi have stated that once Ukraine acquires more F-16 jets and pilots, they will be better equipped to defend against future airborne assaults from Russia.

Despite concerns about the readiness of Ukrainian pilots to handle the advanced F-16 jets, their initial mission has showcased promising defensive capabilities. The pilots received one year of training at the European F-16 Training Center in the Netherlands, which is comparatively shorter than the typical four-year training period for Danish pilots. To further enhance their expertise, other NATO nations, including the US, have offered to let Ukrainian pilots train using F-16s within their own countries.

Ukrainian officials have even considered the possibility of utilizing the F-16s for offensive operations against Russia. In this regard, President Zelensky has called upon the US and its Western allies to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons against Moscow.

The successful interception of missiles and drones by Ukraine's F-16s marks a significant step towards bolstering their defensive capabilities against Russian aggression. With the support of their international partners and ongoing efforts to train more pilots, Ukraine aims to ensure its ability to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its people from future aerial assaults.