The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, announced on Thursday that Ukrainian pilots are currently in the U.S. receiving training on F-16 fighter jets, a crucial component of Kyiv's strategy to bolster its arsenal in its conflict with Russia. The U.S. has given the green light to dispatch F-16s to Ukraine from the Netherlands and Denmark once the pilot training concludes.
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Brink shared on X, previously known as Twitter, that "Ukrainian pilots are presently training with the Arizona Air National Guard on F-16s." She emphasized that this is a vital step in enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities and expressed pride in the U.S.'s collaboration with European allies to support Ukraine against Russia's harsh aggression.
In June, Ukraine initiated a counterattack in the ongoing 20-month war and has successfully reclaimed several villages in the eastern and southern regions. However, the progress has been slower compared to the swift advancement through northeastern Ukraine a year ago. The country continues to be targeted by missile and drone strikes affecting its infrastructure, including its power grid, among other targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has committed to forming an "F-16 coalition," with countries like the Netherlands and Denmark leading the way in offering these fighter jets. It's worth noting that Ukraine's air force primarily consists of aircraft from the Soviet era.
