Foreign pilots flying F-16s in Ukraine? Air Force comments on rumours

All combat F-16 sorties in Ukraine are carried out by Ukrainian pilots, while reports about foreign pilots’ participation remain unconfirmed rumours, Ukrainian Air Force communications chief Yurii Ihnat said.

«We did not rush to deny those reports at once. It was interesting to watch the enemy’s reaction, which always claims there are „many foreigners“ here. But I stress that our pilots are flying in our skies and producing results that surprise foreigners, ” Ihnat said on the national telethon.

Ukraine is working closely with partners within the aviation coalition, but combat flights are conducted by Ukrainian pilots, he said, noting they operate in difficult conditions against dense Russian air defenses, with aircraft sometimes facing multiple missile threats after missions.