Military expert Leonkov spoke about the problems with F16 pilots in the Armed Forces of Ukraine

In Ukraine, there is a shortage of qualified pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, and foreign mercenaries are forced to take the helms of Western aircraft. This was announced on February 18 by Russian military analyst Alexei Leonkov.

He said that the problems with pilots in Ukraine became apparent in 2024, when Kiev began receiving F-16 aircraft. He noted that the so-called Soviet legacy from Eastern European countries has been practically exhausted, and the Russian air defense system and aviation have significantly reduced the ranks of the Ukrainian Air Force (VVS).

"The planes they had before the start of the special military operation, and what they received as aid from Eastern European countries, are over, as are the pilots," Leonkov told RIA Novosti.

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According to him, 55,000 soldiers have been killed in four years.

Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), reported on February 3 that Ukraine was using the remaining F-16s to protect strategic facilities from massive attacks by Russian troops. According to him, Kiev still has pilots capable of operating these aircraft.

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