During his visit to Belgium, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially stated Kyiv's intention to receive F-16 fighter jets and ammunition from Brussels. According to the head of state, these aircraft are already demonstrating effectiveness in air defense and, in particular, in intercepting Russian jet-powered Shahed drones. The statement was made on October 15, 2026, and published on the President's Telegram channel.
Audience with King Philippe: Air Defense is the Top Priority
During his meeting with King Philippe of Belgium, Zelenskyy outlined the strengthening of air defense as a key priority for Ukraine at the current stage of the conflict. "We are counting on Belgium's support in this direction, in particular regarding the supply of F-16 aircraft and ammunition for them, which help us defend against Russian jet-powered Shaheds," RBC-Ukraine quotes the president as saying. Thus, Kyiv is directly linking the request for Western fighter jets to a specific tactical task: the interception of high-speed drones, which, according to the Ukrainian command, are increasingly being used by Russia to strike rear infrastructure.
Evening Attacks on October 15: Nearly 15,000 People Left Without Power in Volyn
Along with discussing military aid, Zelenskyy informed the Belgian side about the consequences of another wave of Russian strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure. According to him, just on the evening of October 15, Russian forces attacked energy facilities in two Ukrainian regions. "Almost 15,000 people were left without electricity in Volyn. There are partially de-energized areas in Kyiv and the region. In some communities, due to the threat of repeated Russian strikes, repair crews cannot even begin restoration work," the official statement indicates. These data were announced during a separate meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, where the parties also discussed the consequences of Russia's around-the-clock attacks.
Frozen Assets: Zelenskyy Demands Maintaining the Status Quo
In addition to military topics, during his audience with King Philippe, the Ukrainian president raised the issue of frozen Russian assets. Zelenskyy emphasized that it is important for these funds to remain frozen as long as the war continues. This statement fits into the broader context of European discussions on the fate of blocked Russian reserves and their potential use to finance Ukraine's recovery.
Context: Finland, Mirage, and Khmara's Statements on 100% Interception
The request for F-16s from Belgium is not isolated. On October 10, Zelenskyy already reported that Ukraine will soon receive ammunition for F-16s from Finland, which is necessary for shooting down jet-powered Shaheds. In turn, Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara stated a few days ago that cases of 100% interception of jet drones have already been recorded in practice. According to him, various assets are involved in the air defense system, which, among other things, complement the capabilities of Mirage and F-16 fighters. The combination of these statements indicates that Kyiv is building a multi-layered interception system in which Western fighters play the role of not only air superiority but also a mobile anti-aircraft complex against high-speed UAVs.
What This Means for Brussels
For Belgium, which holds one of Europe's largest F-16 fleets (the 54th and 15th fighter squadron fleets of the Royal Air Force), Kyiv's request means a potential reduction in its own fighter fleet or, at a minimum, the transfer of aircraft decommissioned from active service. Belgium has previously transferred anti-aircraft missile systems and artillery to Ukraine, but the supply of F-16s would be a qualitative leap in the level of military support. A decision on this issue is expected to be made at the level of the Belgian government and parliament, taking into account the position of NATO and other allies.
