The Air Force commented on information about the secret F-16 squadron

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that combat flights on F-16 aircraft are performed exclusively by Ukrainian pilots, and the information about the participation of foreign pilots is not true.

This was reported by the Air Force Command.

Yuriy Ignat, Head of the Air Force Communications Department, commented on the publication of the French publication Intelligence Online, which reported on the alleged creation of a secret F-16 squadron in Ukraine with the participation of Ukrainian, American, and Dutch pilots.

According to Ignat, the source of this information has an ambiguous reputation, and the claims about foreign pilots are questionable.

“Last night, a French publication published news that a secret F-16 squadron had been created in Ukraine… And the squadron was led by Tom Cruise,” he joked.

The spokesman stressed that Ukrainian pilots flying Western fighter jets have already demonstrated their effectiveness in destroying cruise missiles and attack drones. According to him, during the latest attack, most of the cruise missiles were shot down by F-16 pilots.

Ignat also drew attention to the assessments of Ukrainian think tanks, which indicate that Intelligence Online materials sometimes contain narratives that are favorable to Russia. These include, in particular, predictions about Ukraine’s inevitable defeat or the impossibility of its victory.

The Air Force emphasized that combat missions on F-16s are performed by Ukrainian military pilots.

It was previously reported that an F-16 fighter squadron was created in Ukraine, which includes Ukrainian, American, and Dutch pilots.

Recall, the Pentagon signed a contract worth $235.5 million for the maintenance of F-16 aircraft, including those transferred to Ukraine.