Ukrainian pilot's historic F‑16 success against Russian missiles

During Russia's massive attack on December 13th, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles. This event occurred when over 90 missiles of various types and nearly 200 drones were heading towards Ukraine. The targets of the attack were energy infrastructure facilities.

The pilot, whose name has not been disclosed, shot down the first four missiles using air-to-air missiles. Despite the Russian missiles being equipped with individual electronic protection systems, they did not prevent their destruction.

"The Ukrainian pilot had only four air-to-air missiles under his wings: medium-range and short-range. Long-range missiles were used first, and then the pilot had to approach to within about 3 kilometres to use the short-range missiles..." wrote Colonel Yuriy Ihnat on Facebook.

After shooting down four missiles, the pilot was ordered to return to base. However, a target appeared on his course heading towards Kyiv. He decided to attempt to strike it with the rapid-firing cannon with which the F-16 is equipped. Command gave permission.

- I understood that the chances of hitting a missile travelling at over 640 km/h were slim, first I had to find it in the sky, align the altitude, and shoot from no more than 450 metres away. Getting closer is extremely dangerous - in the event of an explosion of the 450-kilogram warhead, there is a high risk that the aircraft would fly into a cloud of debris - the pilot recounted.

During training in the U.S., the pilot learned to hit targets with the cannon only on simulators.

- I did everything as our instructors in the U.S. taught us, as I practised on the simulator. A few rounds from the cannon and an explosion, then another one. I thought it was a secondary detonation. (…) However, it turned out that there were two missiles. They were flying side by side. (…) That day, I set a record. But the most important thing is the result! I am glad I succeeded and I dedicate this success to all the brothers (pilots) who did not live to see F-16s in the Ukrainian sky - the pilot said.

Colonel Ihnat confirmed that the shooting down of six cruise missiles during one sortie was confirmed during the inspection. "Based on the results of an objective inspection, we have a hundred per cent confirmation of the fact that for the first time in history, an American F-16 fighter aircraft shot down six cruise missiles in air defence combat, including two with the aircraft's cannon. And it was a Ukrainian who did it!". "The Americans on the other side of the ocean were also pleasantly surprised when they learned how their (Ukrainian) protégés work," Ihnat emphasized.

The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine on July 31st, 2024. The authorities in Kyiv have not disclosed the number of aircraft received then. A coalition composed of Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium committed to delivering around 60 planes. On December 7th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a second batch of F-16 fighter jets provided by Denmark had arrived in his country.