By next spring, the Ukrainian Air Force is expected to be able to use F-16 fighter jets in the war against Russia, said former Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov in an interview published on Sunday, Sept. 3, by the Ukrinform news agency.
However, he noted that until then it is necessary to train Ukrainian pilots, plus create the entire infrastructure for operating these aircraft and train auxiliary personnel. Reznikov also mentioned that in order to convince the allies to supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft, he had to write several letters with assurances that the Ukrainian army would use these aircraft exclusively for defensive purposes on Ukrainian territory, not on Russia’s.
Reznikov was dismissed from his position the same day he made the statements on the F-16s and will be replaced by the chairman of the State Property Fund, Rustem Umerov.
Russia has warned that the transfer of Western fighter jets to Ukraine risks escalating the conflict and doubts whether Ukrainian pilots can acquire the skills not only to operate these planes but also to use them effectively in such a short time. Russia is reportedly claiming that Kyiv’s optimistic statements about the F-16s coming into action so soon are designed as a morale-booster for Ukrainian troops whose counteroffensive has so far yielded only modest results.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Ukraine needs about 100 more fighter jets, in addition to the 50 to 60 F-16s already promised by Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
However, the most significant difficulty in the short term is related to the low number of experienced Ukrainian pilots and technicians who know English at a level that would allow them to participate in training programs, as all F-16 manuals and operating procedures are in English. According to U.S. officials, so far only eight Ukrainian pilots with combat experience have been selected to begin the training program in Denmark, with at least 20 others starting English-language courses in the U.K.
Meanwhile, Zelensky has fired Reznikov in the middle of the country’s war with Russia, insisting the government needs a “new approach” to the conflict.
In a video address posted on Telegram on Sunday evening, Zelensky announced his decision to dismiss Reznikov from his position and replace him with Rustem Umerov, the head of the State Property Fund.
