Ukrainian pilots have begun training on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets in a development that could shift the balance of Kyiv’s counteroffensive against Russian invaders after 18 months of war.
While the arrival of the advanced aircraft into the conflict, and the preparation of Ukrainian military personnel is likely to take several months, officials in Kyiv hailed the development over the weekend.
It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict. Officials said Ukrainian pilots will first have to undergo at least six months of training. Russian forces have continued to carry out sporadic missile attacks, often targeting Ukrainian civilians in cities far deep inside Ukraine and far from the frontline in the country’s east.
The government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been seeking F-16s and other advanced weaponry from the U.S. and NATO for more than a year. It remains to be seen how many F-16s will get transferred to Ukraine. Ukrainian air forces supporting infantry are currently using decades-old Soviet-era planes, which are vulnerable to air-to-air missile attacks from Russian fighter jets, Capt. Yevgen Rakita, a spokesman for the 18th Army Aviation Brigade, told The Associated Press.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Ukrainian pilots are training on F-16s with US instructors, Kyiv saysUkrainian pilots have started joint training on F-16 fighter jets with US instructors in Ukraine, according to Kyiv.
Weiterlesen »
Ukrainian pilots are training on F-16s with US instructors, Kyiv saysUkrainian pilots have started joint training on F-16 fighter jets with US instructors in Ukraine, according to Kyiv. “The F-16 aircraft was in Uk...
Weiterlesen »
Five killed, 37 wounded in Russian missile strike on Ukrainian city of ChernihivFive people were killed and 37 wounded when a Russian missile struck a central square in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, the interior ministry said on Saturday.
Weiterlesen »
Russian missile attack kills 5 in northern Ukrainian city as Zelenskyy visits NATO candidate SwedenUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Sweden for the first time since the full-scale Russian invasion of his country.
Weiterlesen »
Russian missile attack kills 5 in northern Ukrainian city as Zelenskyy visits NATO candidate SwedenUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Sweden for the first time since the full-scale Russian invasion of his country
Weiterlesen »