Ukrainian pilot down six Russian missiles in daring F‑16 mission

During Russia's massive attack on 13 December, a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles. This event took place 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 remains undisclosed, downed the first four missiles using air-to-air missiles. Despite the Russian missiles being equipped with individual electronic protection systems, they failed to evade destruction.

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

After shooting down the 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 using the rapid-firing cannon equipped on the F-16. Command gave permission.

- I understood that the chances of hitting a missile travelling at over 400 mph were slim; first, I had to find it in the sky, align the altitude, and shoot from no more than 500 yards away. Getting closer is extremely dangerous - in the event of an explosion of the 1,000-pound warhead, there is a high risk that the aircraft would fly into a cloud of debris - the pilot recounted.

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

- I did everything as our instructors in the USA 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 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 verified during the inspection. "Based on the results of an objective inspection, we have a hundred per cent confirmation 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 accomplished it!" "The Americans across the ocean were pleasantly surprised when they learned how their (Ukrainian) protégés work," Ihnat emphasized.

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