Claims that elite Western F-16 pilots are secretly patrolling Ukraine’s skies have sent shockwaves through defence circles – but Kyiv insists it’s all Ukrainian pilots in action, and no, Tom Cruise is not starring as Maverick over the skies of Ukraine.
Reports from French outlet Intelligence Online suggested a top-secret international squadron of US and Dutch veterans was deployed on temporary contracts to intercept Russian drones and missiles using advanced Lockheed Martin targeting pods.
But Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat hit back, calling the reports “just rumours” from a source of dubious reputation. “Our pilots are flying in our skies and achieving results that make foreigners simply amazed,” he said, warning that the stories could be enemy misinformation.
The claims emerged amid heightened Russian drone attacks over Kyiv Oblast, where Ukrainian pilots face dense air defences and immediate missile threats. The Air Force stressed that while Ukraine cooperates with international partners on training and tactics, combat sorties are exclusively flown by Ukrainians.
Analysts say the rumours may reflect both fog of war confusion and strategic messaging, with opponents quick to amplify unverified reports. For the public, it raises the question: who’s really in the cockpit when missiles streak across the skies of Kyiv?
Ihat refuted the claims of Intelligence Online that American and Dutch pilots are flying in Ukraine.
He also believes that the publication may be related to Russia’s interests.
Ihnat said, “There is no direct evidence of funding or influence from Russia, but the publication [Intelligence Online] sometimes becomes the subject of criticism due to the specifics of its content.
“Some Ukrainian analytical centers, including the “Democratic Initiatives” Foundation, note that the publication’s materials periodically feature narratives that are beneficial to Russia”.
This comes as there has been some media reported earlier that an F-16 squadron was created in Ukraine involving both Ukrainian and Western pilots, who allegedly help carry out combat missions and intercept Russian missiles and drones, it was reported by Intelligence Online.
The Air Force notes that such information needs to be verified, and its dissemination could have been part of information manipulation.
Ukraine continues to cooperate with partners on pilot training, exchanging experience, and improving tactics for the use of modern aviation.
Intelligence Online claimed that there was a squadron of elite F-16 pilots from the United States and the Netherlands has been deployed in strict secrecy under temporary contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Intelligence Online reported.
Leave a Comment