Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets take part in the fight against Russia

WASHINGTON – Ukraine has begun using F-16 fighter jets in combat, a U.S. official said, while Russia is launching a massive airstrike on civilian infrastructure.

The F-16s are the most advanced weapons the US-led coalition has supplied to Ukraine in its war with Russia. The White House and Pentagon had previously refused to offer them, fearing that Russian President Vladimir Putin might view it as an escalation.

The fighter jets were supplied by US allies and Ukrainian pilots have been training in the US for months to fly them. The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine in early August. The official who confirmed their use in combat was not authorized to comment publicly.