On Monday, February 16, 2026, the French intelligence-focused outlet Intelligence Online was the first to report that former American and Dutch pilots had recently joined one of the fighter squadrons of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Povitryani Syly Zbroynykh Syl Ukrainy), operating Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16AM/BM multirole aircraft, and are taking part in combat operations as volunteers.
Photo: Ukrainian Air Force
The anonymous retired pilots reportedly joined the Ukrainian military in recent weeks as civilian contractors and are taking part in missions to intercept and shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles.
This is the first publicly reported case of Western pilots who previously served in their national armed forces participating in the war on Ukraine’s side. Until now, foreign volunteers had fought only on the ground.
However, the idea of leveraging the combat experience of Western pilots no longer on active duty is not new. Given the relatively long F-16 training cycle — around 18 months — on August 12, 2024, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican) and Richard Blumenthal (Democrat), after meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Ukraine intended to recruit retired NATO F-16 pilots:
“In addition, President Zelenskyy told both of us that he would like to augment his Air Force by establishing a program to recruit retired NATO F-16 fighter pilots. We support these efforts. Ukraine is already fielding freedom fighters on the ground, and these volunteer forces should be replicated in the air.”
Since then, however, the issue of recruiting retired Western pilots had not been publicly discussed. According to Intelligence Online, Ukraine recruited Americans with combat experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East, as well as Dutch pilots trained at elite European air combat schools. They reportedly received six-month contracts, with the possibility of extension, serving as civilian contractors without formal ranks in the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The reason for employing them is straightforward: the insufficient pace of training Ukrainian pilots and the advantage of their prior combat experience on the F-16. This recruitment model also allows NATO to officially distance itself from potential Russian accusations of direct Alliance involvement in the war, as the individuals are volunteers.
Ukraine currently operates several dozen F-16AM/BM aircraft. As of June, 50 of the 95 pledged aircraft had reportedly been delivered, originating from donations by Denmark (12 of 19 aircraft; officially withdrawn from service on January 18 and expected to be transferred soon), the Netherlands (24 of 24), and Norway (14 of 30). The remaining 30 aircraft from Belgium are expected to be delivered starting in 2026. So far, four aircraft have reportedly been lost. Additionally, the United States has provided at least three non-airworthy General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon F-16ADF aircraft for spare parts. Ukraine has also locally developed a mobile aircraft maintenance complex known as Project 61.
Ukrainian F-16s are armed with short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM AIM-120B AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) air-to-air missiles, used to shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles (and reportedly a Su-35S). They are also equipped with satellite-guided GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb I glide bombs. Ukraine possesses newer AIM-120C and AIM-9X missiles as well, although the latter are used with NASAMS air defense systems. The aircraft also carry AN/ALQ-131 AN/ALQ-131(V) electronic countermeasures (ECM) pods.
UPDATE
The spokesperson of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Col. Yurii Ihnat, denied the Intelligence Online report:
“Last night, the French outlet Intelligence Online published a report about the creation in Ukraine of a secret F-16 squadron composed of Ukrainian, American, and Dutch pilots, allegedly currently tasked with protecting the airspace over Kyiv – in particular by shooting down Russian cruise missiles and drones with the help of veterans…
Yes! And the squadron is commanded by Tom Cruise 😁
Meanwhile, Ukrainian pilots flying Western aircraft have once again demonstrated effectiveness and professionalism in intercepting enemy cruise missiles and drones. This morning, most of the cruise missiles were downed by them!
As for what this publication specializes in, I will post a short analysis in the first comment for better understanding 👇
It is also worth looking at the reaction of the Russians, who still stubbornly refuse to believe in the successes of Ukrainian pilots and the development of the Air Force’s aviation component!
Ukrainian media have been actively circulating the Intelligence Online report claiming that American and Dutch veteran pilots are flying F-16s alongside Ukrainian pilots in Ukraine. The news has become a ‘sensation’ in the domestic information space, and online outlets, seeking traffic, are inventing various clickbait headlines — from ‘Secret F-16 squadron in Ukraine’ to ‘Western pilots flying Ukrainian F-16 fighters.’
However, some Ukrainian Telegram channels are warning citizens about this information, noting that the outlet frequently publishes nonsense. This may be one such case, as no other sources have confirmed the information.
For context: Intelligence Online belongs to the independent French publishing group Indigo Publications. It specializes in intelligence, state and corporate security, secret diplomacy, and geopolitics. Its principal owners and managers are members of the Botbol family. The publication has existed since 1980 and is headquartered in Paris. Indigo Publications emphasizes its complete independence — it does not receive state subsidies and carries no advertising, relying solely on reader subscriptions. Critics, however, question the plausibility of this model.
There is no direct evidence of Russian funding or influence, but the outlet has been criticized for the nature of some of its content. Certain Ukrainian analytical centers, including the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, note that its materials periodically contain narratives favorable to the Russian Federation. Critics point to publications featuring manipulative forecasts about Ukraine’s ‘inevitable defeat’ or alleged impossibility of victory, which could influence Western public opinion.
Furthermore, because the outlet specializes in reporting based on leaks from intelligence circles, it could potentially serve as a platform for information operations by various intelligence services, including Russian ones, which may use media channels to legitimize disinformation.”
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