Ukraine receives mobile F-16 simulators, strikes Su-57 jets deep inside Russia

Ukraine's Air Force has received mobile F-16 flight simulators that will enable pilots to train and practice for missions at flexible locations, the Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday.

The simulators, which replicate the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet, are programmed to simulate the terrain and weather conditions pilots might face in combat over Ukraine. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in a statement that the simulators "can be moved from location to location" so pilots can use them at different bases.

"F-16 fighters are already protecting Ukrainian skies. To increase the effectiveness of intercepting air targets, we must constantly improve pilot training and reduce the time from training to combat use," Fedorov said.

The simulators were donated by the governments of the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria, the Air Force Capabilities Coalition, and a multinational group assisting Ukraine with air war capacity development, Fedorov said. The introduction of mobile simulators is part of a Ukrainian Air Force transition program to train pilots to NATO standards, according to defense outlet Militarnyi.

According to open sources, the Ukrainian Air Force likely operates 35-40 F-16C fighter jets. Ukraine has admitted the loss of four F-16s since beginning operations with the aircraft in mid-2024.

Separately, Ukraine's military said it struck several Su-57 stealth fighters and one Su-34 bomber in Russia's Chelyabinsk region, roughly 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The strike took place on April 25, according to Ukraine's General Staff, which did not disclose the method of attack or confirm the exact number of damaged aircraft. Officials said "several" Su-57 jets and one Su-34 were hit.

The strike represents one of Ukraine's deepest attacks inside Russia since the start of the war and a rare reported hit on the Su-57, Moscow's most advanced and expensive fighter jet.