Several dozen pilots ready to fight on F-16s – Ukraine's Air Force

"We are planning to transfer all pilots [to the F-16s]. We need to teach everyone. But the Air Force commander has determined pilots who already have a certain level of English, combat experience, and these are young pilots. They are ready to fight even tomorrow. A political decision is needed here so that we can start the process of training ground personnel as well. These are combat management officers and military engineers. Several dozen pilots are ready to fight," he said on national television.

President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier called on Western partners to make a decision to provide Ukraine with modern fighter jets, but noted that the absence of F-16s would not affect the start of a counteroffensive by the Ukrainian defense forces.