First group of Ukrainian pilots to complete F-16 training by summer

The pilots started their training to fly F-16 jets in October last year in the U.S. city of Tucson, Arizona.

The second and the third groups of four Ukrainian pilots each are expected to complete their F-16 training by the end of August.

In July last year, Ukraine signed a memorandum with 11 countries to create a coalition for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighters.

The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium have pledged to transfer F-16s to Ukraine to help the country upgrade its combat aircraft fleet amid the conflict with Russia.