A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot during a massive attack by russian troops in December 2024 destroyed six enemy cruise missiles in one sortie for the first time in the history of the use of the American Fighting Falcon fighter.
This was written by the head of the public relations service of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Yurii Ihnat.
As Yurii Ihnat noted, the massive shelling took place on December 13, 2024. The enemy launched almost 200 drones, as well as dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles. The main goal of the Ukrainian fighter was precisely cruise missiles, intercepting which is a difficult task.
The Ukrainian pilot used all four air-to-air missiles available on board the F-16 to shoot down four cruise missiles. However, having noticed another target, the pilot decided to use an aircraft cannon.
"Shooting down cruise missiles with a cannon is very risky due to the high speed of the target and the danger of detonation. But I acted as the instructors in the USA taught me, and I managed to hit it. As it turned out, two missiles flying next to each other were destroyed at the same time," the pilot said.
This case became unique: for the first time in history, an F-16 pilot destroyed six cruise missiles in one sortie, two of them using an aircraft cannon.
After successfully completing the task, the pilot was greeted with applause at the airfield. His success aroused admiration not only among the Ukrainian military, but also in the USA.
Although Ukraine was given not the most modern modifications of the F-16, Ukrainian pilots demonstrate exceptional skills every day, making the most of the available equipment. This record is proof of their professionalism and fighting spirit.
The Ukrainian Air Force is expecting even more modern weapons, in particular the F-35, which, together with experienced pilots, will become a powerful force in deterring aggression in Europe.
Recall that on August 4, President Zelenskyy officially confirmed the arrival of the first F-16s to Ukraine. That day, the aircraft were shown publicly.
We also wrote that in early October, the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Ruben Brekelmans, announced that Ukraine had received the first Dutch F-16s.
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