US Joint Chiefs Chairman Confirms Ukrainian F-16 Achieves First Air-to-Air Kill Against Russian Fighter

Published Jul 22, 06:19 PM UTC

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, publicly confirmed that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter jet, marking the first air-to-air kill by a Ukrainian F-16 against a crewed Russian aircraft. The engagement likely occurred on July 8, when a Russian Su-35S multirole fighter was downed, though the weapon used and exact circumstances remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian F-16s have previously downed over a thousand drones and cruise missiles. The Su-35S is considered one of Russia's most capable fighters, armed with long-range R-77-1 and R-37M missiles, while Ukrainian F-16s use AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs. The confirmation underscores Ukraine's growing air-to-air capabilities with Western support.