Ukrainian pilots have continued flying on missions despite Russia’s numerical superiority in the skies (Picture: Ukraine Media Centre/@CenterUkraine)

Ukraine’s ‘super-motivated’ pilots are carrying out a wide range of daily operations despite Russian forces having a huge numerical advantage, an air force colonel has said.

Yuriy Ihnat praised the ‘air aces’ and said those selected to fly the first NATO-grade aircraft — such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon — already spoke English and had combat experience.

The Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson gave an outline of the types of frontline missions being flown as the West contemplates whether to provide Kyiv with advanced fast jets in line with Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s rousing appeal in London on Wednesday.

Joe Biden has so far ruled out sending F-16s to Ukraine while the UK has indicated it has no immediate plans to allocate fighters such as the Typhoon.

Mr Ihnat told Metro.co.uk: ‘From the first days of the war, our pilots showed courage and heroism. The enemy is five times superior in number, as well as in aviation technology and types of weapons.

‘Of course, the pilots are super-motivated, experienced, able to quickly improve and beat the enemy with all available means. The Ukrainian people admire and are proud of our air aces.’

The Ukrainian president used his speech in Westminster Hall to call on the world to send modern aircraft, saying ‘in Britain, the King is an air force pilot and in Ukraine today every air force pilot is a king’.

The Ukrainian president said pilots were ‘so few, so precious’ and appealed to the West to provide ‘wings for freedom’.

Ukrainian pilots have combat and language skills which they hope to bring to a new generation of fighters (Picture: Ukraine Media Centre/@CenterUkraine)

The ability of Ukraine’s pilots to keep flying in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds has been one of the most remarkable features of the homeland defence.

Among the pilots who have died on missions is Major Danylo Murashko, 24, whose aircraft was hit by a Russian air-to-air missile over Donetsk on January 27, 2023.

The officer had flown 141 sorties after rapidly rising from having minimal experience to being considered an ace by his unit.

‘Pilots perform combat missions every day in different areas of the front,’ Mr Ihnat said. ‘They carry out fighter cover from the air, conduct patrols and destroy cruise missiles and kamikaze drones during missile attacks.

‘They launch missile and bomb attacks on the positions of the Russian invaders every day.’

Yuriy Ihnat said the provision of advanced Western fighter jets will turn the tide of the war in Ukraine’s favour (Picture: Yuriy Ihnat/Ukraine Media Centre)

Ukraine’s air force primarily consists of Sukhoi and MiG jets, which date back to the Soviet era, and mastering advanced aircraft such as the F-16s would require an intensive training programme.

‘Pilots will learn to take off, land and perform simple aerobatics in a few weeks,’ Mr Ihnat said of a potential transfer.

‘But for flights as part of a unit, with the use of all types of weapons against air and ground targets, more time is needed — at least six months.

‘It must be understood that the pilots selected for future training have knowledge of the English language, piloting skills and combat experience on Ukrainian aircraft in air battles.’

A Top Trumps-style card for a Typhoon which is used by the UK and has been linked for possible transfer to Ukraine (Picture: PA/Getty/Metro.co.uk)

A comparison can be made with the MiG-29 Fulcrum which is operated by the Ukrainian Air Force (Picture: PA/Getty/Metro.co.uk)

The rapturous applause for president Zelenskyy’s speech has been tempered by British military experts saying the RAF is already overstretched and any transfer carries the risk of sensitive military technology falling into Russian hands if a jet was downed.

Rishi Sunak responded to Zelenskyy’s appeal by saying that ‘nothing is off the table’ in terms of sending military aid to Ukraine and combat aircraft are ‘part of the conversation’.

A fleet of 30 Typhoon Tranche 1 combat aircraft due to be retired by the RAF in two years’ time has been cited as the most likely option, but the jets would need refitting and an accompanying training programme to be viable for frontline missions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy used a visit to the UK to call on the world to supply his nation with modern aircraft (Picture: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

The UK’s most sophisticated combat aircraft, the ‘next generation’ F-35B Lightning, is not seen as suitable due to the complex technical and security implications that any handover would entail.

The government is extending military training to Ukrainian fighter jet pilots so they can fly sophisticated NATO-standard aircraft but has only said they will be behind the controls ‘in the future’.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said yesterday that there will be no immediate transfer of UK jets to Ukraine and the focus will be on providing air support measures such as long-range missiles and drones.

Joe Biden has repeatedly ruled out sending F-16 Fighting Falcons, which have also been cited as suitable for Ukraine and would represent a step-change in the country’s aerial capabilities.

Ukrainian pilots have continued to fly despite Russia having superior numbers of aircraft (Picture: Ukraine Media Centre/@CenterUkraine)

More than 3,000 models of the fourth-generation jet, which can carry precision-guided missiles and bombs, are operated across 25 countries.

As Ukraine’s outnumbered pilots continue to fly, Mr Ihnat is emphatic that a significant upgrade would change the tide of the war.

‘When the air force receives modern multi-purpose fighters and other promised weapons, it will change the course of hostilities in favour of Ukraine and quickly de-occupy Ukrainian territories,’ he said.

‘Gaining air superiority and airstrikes on enemy rear lines and ammunition supply routes are the keys to success in a ground operation.’

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A Ukrainian air force colonel has said a Western upgrade would ‘change the course of hostilities’ in the nation’s favour.