Ukraine’s Air Force has denied reports that foreign pilots are flying F-16 fighter jets to protect the country’s airspace. Earlier, a French outlet reported the creation of an international squadron guarding the skies over Kyiv.
The French publication Intelligence Online released a report claiming an international F-16 squadron had been formed in Ukraine. However, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that information is not true.
“In the skies over Kyiv, U.S. Air Force veterans support Ukrainian fighter pilots. A squadron made up of Ukrainian, American and Dutch pilots is now using F-16s to defend Kyiv’s airspace. These seasoned veterans of foreign operations are being brought in, among other tasks, to counter Russian cruise missiles and drones,” Intelligence Online reported.
In his post, Ihnat noted that the French outlet a day earlier had circulated a story about an alleged “secret F-16 squadron” made up of Ukrainian, American and Dutch pilots working to defend Kyiv. Ihnat said that claim does not reflect reality and stressed that Ukrainian pilots are the ones flying combat missions:
“Right. And Tom Cruise is in command of the squadron. Meanwhile, Ukrainian pilots on Western aircraft have once again demonstrated effectiveness and professionalism in downing enemy cruise missiles and drones. This morning, most of the cruise missiles were downed by them!” Ihnat added.
On February 17, Intelligence Online reported that an international F-16 squadron had been created in Ukraine. The publication claimed it allegedly includes both Ukrainian and Western pilots.
Earlier, Russian sources on January 20, 2025, spread a claim about the alleged death of a Danish F-16 instructor during a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. Russian media alleged that Danish pilot Jeppe Hansen, who trained F-16 operations, was killed in the attack. The only “confirmation” for that claim came from an empty account on the social network X.
