I hope to see F-16s in Ukrainian skies in spring - intelligence chief Budanov

He said this in a comment for ICTV.

The final stage of the transfer of F-16 aircraft for Ukrainian pilots is currently underway.

"Yes, the F-16 issue has been resolved. I think everyone knows. There were details, but they relate to technical issues, transfer, readiness to receive, infrastructure, readiness to service these aircraft, training of flight, and airfield personnel. These are purely technical issues. But the issue has been resolved," Budanov said.

In addition, he said that he hopes to see fighter jets in the skies over Ukraine in the spring of 2024: "Wait a minute. That's too soon. This is the final stage. You know our pilots are graduating, so everyone can do the math. It's not that hard. I hope we will see them in the spring.”

F-16 fighters for Ukraine: what is known

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. 

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

On August 17, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine.

At the same time, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia. 

The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown

On September 15, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition. Such aircraft are dangerous to operate.

On October 11, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in March-April 2024.

On October 12, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.

On October 26, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA

On November 1, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.

In early January 2024, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets this year.

On February 8, Ambassador to the Netherlands Oleksandr Karasevych said that Ukraine would receive F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands this year, but the exact date was not announced.