INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Sunday a "historic" decision by the Netherlands and Denmark to provide American F-16 fighter
jets, the latest move by Western allies to bolster his country's efforts to fend off Russia's invasion.Zelensky had sought the advanced jets
for months to strengthen Ukraine's Soviet-era air force as it pursues a grinding counteroffensive against Russian forces in the
east.Washington announced its approval of the F-16 transfers on Friday, with training of Ukraine pilots set to begin this month, which may
allow Ukraine to begin deploying the jets in early 2024.The decision is "absolutely historic, powerful and inspiring for us," Zelensky said
alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a visit to the Eindhoven air force base in the Netherlands.Rutte said the number of F-16s
provided to Kyiv had not been determined, but Zelensky said in a later statement that "Our warriors will receive 42 great combat
aircraft."Zelensky then traveled to Denmark's Skrydstrup air force base and was greeted by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said "We
also know that you need more, and that is why today we announced that we will donate 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine."Six of the jets will
are already starting," Zelensky said."We are doing our best to get even more results for Ukraine," he added
"In particular, today we discussed the expansion of training missions."In a separate statement, Zelensky thanked the US, which has strict
rules on the sale or transfer of American military equipment by its allies."I also thank President Joseph Biden, both parties in the US
Congress, and the entire American people for their unwavering support and continuously positive steps for the aviation coalition and for the
benefit of our common freedom," he said.Drones downed in RussiaThe long-sought approval to supply the jets drew a warning from
Russia.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow would consider the F-16s a "nuclear" threat because of their capacity to carry atomic
weapons.Russia also announced that it prevented Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and its region on Sunday, the second such incident in two
days.Both sides have reported regular drone incursions during the conflict, with strikes on Russian territory becoming increasingly
regular."At around 4:00 a.m
(01:00 GMT), an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by drone on infrastructure in Moscow and the Moscow region was
thwarted," the Russian Defense Ministry said.The Moscow-bound drone was destroyed by "electronic warfare" and crashed into an uninhabited
area after losing control, the ministry said, reporting no victims or damage.But a Ukrainian drone raid hit a railway station in the western
Russian city of Kursk, injuring five people, the regional governor said early Sunday.In the southern region of Rostov that borders Ukraine,
Russian air defense intercepted two Ukrainian drones, its governor said.'Heinous' attack in ChernihivOn Saturday, a Russian attack struck
the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, with the regional governor saying Sunday that seven people had been killed and 148
injured.Zelensky vowed "a tangible answer" to the attack, which came as residents attended morning church services during the Orthodox
holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord
The president noted that a six-year-old girl was among the victims.Denise Brown, UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said it
religious day for many Ukrainians."Chernihiv, 150 kilometers (90 miles) north of Kyiv, had largely been spared from major attacks since the
first months of Russia's invasion launched in February 2022, as fierce fighting rages in the east and south.Ukraine launched a
counteroffensive in the east and south in June but has come up against fierce resistance from entrenched Russian forces.Also Sunday,
supporters of the jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny held so-called "Putin is a Killer" rallies worldwide to mark three years
since a poisoning attack on the anti-corruption activist, which he blames on the Kremlin.Carrying signs with slogans such as "Freedom for
political prisoners" and "Russia get out of Ukraine," a few dozen people protested in front of the Russian Embassy in Warsaw, while others
staged demonstrations in cities including Brussels, Prague, London and Tallinn.
