Kyiv to store fighter jets abroad

Move intended to protect planes supplied by allies from Russian strikes

- HANNA ARHIROVA

Ukrainian soldiers take cover Monday after firing toward Russian positions at the front line near Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine may keep some of the F-16 fighter jets it's set to receive from its western allies at foreign bases to protect them from Russian strikes, a senior Ukrainian military officer said Monday.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have committed to providing Ukraine with more than 60 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to help it fend off Russian attacks. Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training to fly the warplanes ahead of the deliveries expected to start later this year.