Foreign Pilots can Fly Ukrainian Warplanes

Ukrainian fighters can be flown by foreign pilots, military spokesman announced Thursday.

Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson of the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has stated that foreign citizens can become pilots or employees of the aviation engineering staff, if they have the appropriate experience.

Ihnat said Ukraine has enough pilots to operate Soviet-era aircraft. He said the Air Force might need foreign pilots once it receives Western combat aircraft like the F-16s.

“If we have F-16 or other types of equipment, then need for foreigners will arise. Because the experience of people who have long been working with this equipment will be needed even for briefing,” said Yurii Ihnat.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, thousands of people have offered to help the Ukrainian Air Force.

“A lot of people contacted our Air Force. These are Ukrainians who work abroad on various types of aviation equipment. Everyone offered their help to defend Ukraine. Among them were citizens of other states,” said Ihnat.

Ukraine already has military units in which foreigners involved in the fight against the Russians.

“So why not. If they have a military occupation such as a pilot or aviation engineer, then these people can legally become servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Ihnat said.