What is known about a fighter jet coalition for Ukraine. What\u2019s happening in Russia\u2019s Belgorod region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The actual start of a \u201cfighter jet coalition\u201d to supply Ukraine with modern planes is among the most talked-about and tangible results of the G7 summit in Japan. The U.S. and European allies vowed to join the coalition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Less than four months elapsed between when President Biden ruled out sending the F-16 to Ukraine in late January and his green light for the U.S. to join a coalition of fighter jets, announced at the G7 summit in Hiroshima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe that the wings of our common freedom will be no doubt the strongest in the world!\u201d Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said, thanking Biden for his leadership. \u201cWhen our pilots know the F-16 and when these aircraft appear in our skies, it will matter not only for Ukraine. This will be a historic moment for the entire security architecture in Europe and the world,\u201d Zelenskyi said at the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine received pledges from the UK, the U.S., the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark to help build a jet coalition and provide training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United States confirmed that \u201ctogether with our allies and partners, [it] is going to begin training Ukrainian pilots in fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s\u201d. The fourth generation category also includes Britain\u2019s Eurofighter Typhoon and France\u2019s Mirage 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, the pilots will undergo training. \u201cThis summer we will commence an elementary flying phase for cohorts of Ukrainian pilots to learn basic training,\u201d British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, as he welcomed Zelenskyi in the UK last week. \u201cThe training of the pilots has already started,\u201d EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, May 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Russian Volunteer Corps and the Freedom of Russia Legion, groups fighting alongside the Ukrainian troops, claimed credit for crossing into Russia on Monday. A series of videos shows them standing in front of town signs in Russian regions bordering Ukraine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Russian Volunteer Corps reportedly reached Bezlyudivka in Russia\u2019s Belgorod region, Churovichi in Bryansk region, and Lyubimovka in Kursk region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Freedom of Russia Legion claimed the liberation of the village Gora-Podol and before beginning to Grayvoron. The situation was \u201ccomplicated\u201d, the legion\u2019s press service told Suspilne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps are creating a demilitarized zone on the border with the Russian Federation, from where they will not be able to fire at Ukraine,\u201d the press service was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the future, we are moving towards the liberation of all of Russia from Putin\u2019s dictatorship and the end of the criminal war\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRussian law enforcement tries to send artillery fire at us and conduct air strikes. The situation is complicated, but we are holding out and advancing,\u201d the group said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine says it is closely watching what\u2019s happening in Russia\u2019s Belgorod region, but denies involvement. \u201cThe only driving political force in a totalitarian country of tightened screws is always an armed guerrilla movement. #Ukraine is watching the events in the #Belgorod region of #Russia with interest and studying the situation, but it has nothing to do with it,\u201d adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. \u201cAs you know, tanks are sold at any Russian military store, and underground guerrilla groups are composed of Russian citizens,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Ukraine\u2019s military intelligence, Russia was removing nuclear munitions from a facility in Belgorod region. \u201cThere are additional reports of evacuation measures. The Russians are evacuating Belgorod-22, a nuclear munitions storage from an area near Grayvoron,\u201d a representative of the Main Intelligence Department of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Andriy Yusov said on television.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yusov reiterated that Ukraine has nothing to do with what\u2019s happening in Belgorod region, calling Russian anti-Putin forces responsible for the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does humiliating Victory Day parade in Moscow reveal? Ukraine in Flames #436\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n