Ukraine prepares combat pilots for F-16s to send message to Putin.

Ukraine plans to send "several dozen" combat pilots for training to fly U.S.-manufactured F-16 fighter jets, as western allies prepared the necessary training programmes. NATO members the Netherlands and Denmark are leading efforts by an international coalition to train pilots and support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately supply F-16s to Ukraine. The U.S.-backed training program will include Belgium and Luxembourg, while France and Britain have offered assistance. Ukraine has repeatedly said it needs new Western aircraft to successfully counter Russia's aerial dominance.