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Ukraine's F-16 Scores Historic First Kill Against Russia's Su-35
Ukraine has achieved a milestone in its air war with Russia after a U.S.-supplied F-16 reportedly shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter for the first confirmed air-to-air victory by the aircraft in Ukrainian service. U.S. military leaders say the engagement highlights how rapidly Ukraine has transformed its air defenses with Western support.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)
For nearly two years, Ukraine's F-16s defended the skies.
Now, one has made history.
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A Ukrainian F-16 Fighting Falcon has shot down a Russian Su-35 Flanker-E, marking the first confirmed air-to-air kill by an F-16 since the aircraft entered Ukrainian service in 2024, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.
The milestone comes just months after Western allies accelerated deliveries of the American-built fighters to Kyiv.
If you've followed this far, here's why this matters.
The Su-35 is one of Russia's most advanced fourth-generation multirole fighters.
Equipped with powerful radar, long-range air-to-air missiles, and high maneuverability, it has long been regarded as one of the Russian Air Force's premier combat aircraft.
The successful engagement demonstrates that Ukraine's Western-trained pilots are now capable of challenging Russia's top fighters in direct aerial combat.
Although Gen. Caine did not disclose operational details, defense analysts believe the victory is linked to the July 8 destruction of a Russian Su-35 during operations over eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine's Air Force announced the aircraft's destruction at the time, while later confirmation from the top U.S. military officer identified the engagement as the first F-16 air-to-air victory.
The achievement represents far more than a single aircraft loss.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has relied primarily on aging Soviet-era fighters while repeatedly calling for modern Western aircraft.
After months of debate, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway agreed to supply F-16s, with the first aircraft entering Ukrainian service in the summer of 2024.
Those aircraft initially focused on intercepting cruise missiles, drones, and supporting Ukraine's broader air-defense network.
This latest engagement marks the first time they have been publicly credited with defeating a Russian fighter in air-to-air combat.
Gen. Caine described the achievement as evidence of how dramatically Ukraine has strengthened its layered air-defense system through a combination of Western equipment, domestic innovation, and battlefield experience.
He also praised Ukraine's rapidly expanding defense industry, saying it continues to improve both air-defense and combat aviation capabilities despite constant Russian attacks.
Military experts caution that one victory will not change the overall balance of the air war.
Russia still maintains a numerical advantage in combat aircraft and continues launching large-scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine.
Even so, the successful engagement carries enormous symbolic and operational significance.
For Ukrainian pilots, it validates years of intensive NATO training.
For Western allies, it demonstrates that advanced aircraft supplied to Kyiv are delivering tangible battlefield results.
And for Russia, it serves as another reminder that the skies over Ukraine have become increasingly contested.
The F-16 arrived to defend Ukraine's airspace.
Its first confirmed aerial victory suggests it is now doing much more than that.
Editor's Note
Gen. Dan Caine confirmed before the U.S. Senate that a Ukrainian F-16 recently achieved its first air-to-air kill against a Russian fighter aircraft. While officials have not released detailed tactical information, analysts widely associate the engagement with the reported destruction of a Russian Su-35 on July 8.
