French Report Alleges Secret US-Dutch F-16 Unit Protecting Ukraine Sky—Kyiv Denies Claim

A secret international F-16 squadron made up of veteran pilots from the United States and the Netherlands is reportedly helping patrol skies over the Kyiv region, targeting Russian cruise missiles and drones, Ukrainian outlet UNN reported on Feburary 17

According to UNN, citing French outlet Intelligence Online, the unit was allegedly formed in strict secrecy to integrate NATO operational experience into Ukraine’s air defense effort as quickly as possible. The reported foreign pilots are said to fly alongside Ukrainian crews, focusing on intercepting cruise missiles such as Kalibr and Kh-101, as well as responding to large-scale nighttime drone attacks.

The outlet said the squadron’s work is viewed as critical for transferring practical skills to Ukrainian pilots, many of whom have only recently begun operating F-16 fighter jets.

The participation of experienced Western veterans is described as helping Ukraine maximize the aircraft’s capabilities, including complex night interception procedures and operations under heavy electronic warfare conditions.

UNN reported that the pilots are allegedly serving on six-month contracts with the possibility of extension, though the unit is not publicly acknowledged within official command structures.

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The Intelligence Online report, however, was dismissed by Yuriy Ignat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, who debunked the story in a Facebook post.

“Yesterday evening the French outlet Intelligence Online published news that Ukraine had created a secret F-16 squadron made up of Ukrainian, American, and Dutch pilots… And of course, the squadron is led by Tom Cruise!” Ignat wrote.

He added that Ukrainian pilots flying Western aircraft have repeatedly demonstrated their professionalism, noting that “this morning, most of the cruise missiles were downed by them.”

Previously, it was reported that the Russian forces launched a massive combined aerial attack on the night of February 17, 2026, targeting critical infrastructure across the country with a total of 425 missiles and drones.

The assault, which spanned 12 regions and focused heavily on the energy sector, resulted in at least one killed and nine injuries, including children, while leaving tens of thousands without power.

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