Ukrainian pilots have begun practical training on F-16 fighter jets in the air. This was stated by the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, during a national telethon.
The colonel noted that the training of Ukrainian pilots on these western aircraft is "progressing according to plan," although details on this matter have not yet been released.
"The process is underway, and this is the most important thing. The partners are not too keen on detailing the training process. But the fact is that the pilots are already training on F-16s in the air," he said.
The colonel also emphasized that not all pilots who are trained to use these Western fighters are already flying F-16s in the sky.
"Not all, of course. Some pilots are already training in the sky with an instructor on combat aircraft. So everything is going according to plan," Ihnat said.
The Ukrainian Air Force's persistence in disclosing information about this stage of the training is underscored despite earlier Western media reports, quoting officials, that Ukrainian pilots were already actively using the F-16, with Ukrainian military officials emphatically stating that confirmation would only be provided after photos of Ukrainian pilots in the cockpit of the fighters were published.
