 Despite high hopes, Ukraine will not receive US F-16 fighter jets this year. Ukraine will not be able to protect its skies with US-made F-16 fighters in the coming autumn and winter. Yuri Inat, spokesman for Ukraine's Air Force, said this. Despite having high hopes for American-made F-16 fighter jets to safeguard their airspace, Ukraine will not be receiving these aircraft during the upcoming fall or winter seasons. Unfortunately, it is already clear that we will not be able to protect Ukraine with F-16s throughout the fall and this winter. There were high hopes for these aircraft that these could really become part of the air defence, he added. Highlighting progress on the matter, the spokesperson said that Ukrainian pilots would soon undergo training to operate the aircraft. Additionally, Inat stressed the importance of enhancing Ukraine's defence capabilities against drone assaults. He expressed his belief that fortifying the country's air defences is imperative. He added that Ukraine still has a need to strengthen its air defence systems. Earlier, Ukrainian Defence Minister Olexiy Reznikov articulated the military's requirement for aircraft with a preference for F-16 fighter jets capable of functioning as integral components of the air defence system and possessing the ability to engage ground targets if the situation demands. The Washington Post, citing Ukrainian, European and US officials and military personnel, said Ukraine will likely face another year without F-16 pilots.