Ukraine Rejects Claims of Cross-National F-16 Pilot Unit

Ukraine’s Air Force has rejected claims of a ‘secret’ cross-national F-16 squadron, dismissing reports as unfounded and misleading. According to Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force, there is no such unit, and Ukrainian pilots are credited with most missile interceptions. The denial echoes historical precedents of foreign volunteer aviators, but Ukraine emphasizes its focus on integrating Western aircraft into its air defense capabilities. AeroTime reports that France is preparing to deliver two additional Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine by the end of 2026, which would bring the total Mirage fleet to four aircraft.