Training of Ukrainian pilots in UK to start in late July or early August - Ukrainian Ambassador

The first 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in the UK in late July or early August.

Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko said this on the air of the United News telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The number at the first stage will be 20. The training will begin at the end of this month - early August. This course will be launched in such a way that the pilots can then switch to the platforms that will be chosen," the diplomat said, reminding that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters and has other European-made aircraft.

According to Prystaiko, London's decision to start training Ukrainian pilots breaks the cycle in the discussions on aircraft availability and training pilots to operate them. "The British decision was as follows: let's start training our pilots and let our politicians make the final decision. At the time of this decision, we will already have pilots who will have undergone a certain amount of training."

The ambassador also informed that a total of more than 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and officers of various branches of the armed forces will undergo military training in the UK this year.

"Training (in the UK - ed.) of our soldiers and officers remains a very important element for us. Last year there were 10.000, this year more than 30.000 will be trained," he said.

The diplomat informed that not only infantrymen, but also helicopter crews are trained in the UK, as well as naval crews, artillerymen, reconnaissance men, etc.

The ambassador also reminded that the UK supplies Ukraine with much-needed weapons, including Storm Shadow missiles, tanks, armored vehicles and artillery shells of both NATO and old Soviet calibers.

As Ukrinform reported, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, specific commitments were reached by the Allies to organize specialized training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft, which would pave the way for the delivery of these aircraft to Ukraine.