Pentagon Says Ukraine Gets Additional Planes And Spare Parts, But It's Not America Who Sends Them

Jubir Pentagon John Kirby. (Wikimedia Commons/Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)

JAKARTA - The United States Department of Defense said the Ukrainian military had received additional aircraft and spare parts for repairs, so their damaged planes could fly again.

Despite Allied and expert judgment, Ukraine was able to keep its air force operational during the nearly two months of the Russian invasion, even being able to repair its aircraft.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby did not provide details on which country provided the planes, but acknowledged the new transfers and said Ukraine had more combat aircraft in service than two weeks ago.

"They have received additional aircraft and aircraft spare parts to help them get more planes in the air," Kirby told a news briefing, without elaborating.

However, according to him, it was not the United States that sent the plane. Kirby said Washington had not provided any aircraft to Kyiv.

"We have certainly helped with the transshipment of some additional spare parts that have helped with their aircraft needs, but we have not transported the entire aircraft," he added.

However, that may soon change. The United States has announced plans to transfer Russian-made helicopters to Ukraine once destined for Afghanistan.

It is known, more than 50 days of war, Ukraine is still able to defend some of its airspace, thanks to its aircraft and air defenses, including portable surface-to-air missiles provided by the United States and its allies.

This has allowed Ukraine to wage a much more effective ground war than if Russia had air dominance and could defend its invading forces from the skies.