In historic report, Ukrainian F-16 pilot downs 6 cruise missiles in single mission, Air Pressure claims

For the primary time within the historical past of the F-16 Combating Falcon, a Ukrainian-operated jet shot down six Russian cruise missiles throughout a single mission in December, together with two with the plane cannon, the Air Pressure claimed on Jan. 7.

The interception reportedly came about throughout a mass Russian aerial strike on the morning of Dec. 13, 2024, which noticed Russia deploy nearly 200 drones and 94 missiles.

"For the primary time within the historical past of the Combating Falcon, an F-16 fighter jet destroyed six Russian cruise missiles in a single fight mission," the Air Pressure Command mentioned on social media.

Ukraine has obtained a lot of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark, deploying them a number of instances in air protection roles throughout Russian mass strikes on cities and infrastructure.

"They are saying that even Individuals couldn't consider you probably did it," Air Pressure Command spokesperson Yurii Ihnat mentioned in an interview with the pilot, whose id was not revealed.

The aviator mentioned that he approached a gaggle of cruise missiles and, regardless of their digital warfare countermeasures, managed to lock on to targets. The F-16 reportedly shot down one pair of Russian projectiles with medium-range missiles after which one other pair with short-range missiles.

Ukrainian F-16s are geared up with 4 air-to-air medium-range and short-range missiles.

With out missiles and low on gas, the pilot was then recalled from the world however noticed one other missile heading towards Kyiv. He moved to intercept it and opened hearth from his plane cannon in opposition to the projectile, which was flying over 650 kilometers per hour, a troublesome and dangerous maneuver, the Air Pressure mentioned.

"A number of bursts from the cannon — and an explosion… then one other one! 'A secondary detonation,' I assumed, however, because it turned out, there have been two missiles," the pilot mentioned, including he did every thing as taught by U.S. instructors.

Based on the Air Pressure Command, Ukrainian pilots have realized how one can shoot down missiles with plane cannons in simulators within the U.S. however have by no means tried it throughout precise fight earlier than.

The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm the claims.

The F-16 Combating Falcon entered into service in late 1978, and its numerous variations have been utilized by over two dozen nations, together with the U.S. and its European allies. Greater than 4,600 F-16s have been constructed, and the platform has been deployed in a number of conflicts worldwide.

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