Ukrainian Pilots to Receive F-16 Training in US


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inside the F-16 in Denmark. (Ukrainian Presidency)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inside the F-16 in Denmark. (Ukrainian Presidency)
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Ukrainian Pilots to Receive F-16 Training in US


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inside the F-16 in Denmark. (Ukrainian Presidency)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inside the F-16 in Denmark. (Ukrainian Presidency)

The United States will begin flight training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in October, the Pentagon announced on Thursday.

The training will begin after the pilots receive English language training next month, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said. The flight training will take place in Arizona, Ryder added.

In May, US President Joe Biden endorsed training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

Ukraine will not be able to operate US-built F-16 fighter jets this coming autumn and winter, air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television late on Wednesday.

"It's already obvious we won't be able to defend Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets during this autumn and winter," Ihnat told a joint telethon broadcast by Ukrainian channels.

US President Joe Biden endorsed training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in May. In addition to training in Denmark, a training center was to be set up in Romania.



Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Invited to Trump's Inauguration

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
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Former Brazilian President Bolsonaro Invited to Trump's Inauguration

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro talks with media upon his arrival at Brasilia International Airport, in Brasilia, Brazil November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been invited to the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 and is seeking to obtain the return of his passport, confiscated last year amid a probe into an attempted coup in 2023.

Bolsonaro has been barred from running for political office in Brazil until 2030 and faces criminal charges for allegedly plotting a coup. He denies any wrongdoing.

His passport was retained in February 2024 on the order of a Brazilian Supreme Court judge.

The invitation was confirmed by Bolsonaro on his X account and by his advisor, Fabio Wajngarten, who told Reuters that the former president is willing to go.

On his X account, Bolsonaro expressed his "honor at receiving the invitation". He also said that his lawyer, Paulo Bueno, has already requested Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes release his passport for the trip.

Trump's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.