The statement marks a milestone for Ukrainian aviation, although details about the missile used, the engagement range and the involvement of other systems remain classified
An F-16 fighter operated by the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a Russian military aircraft in air-to-air combat, according to General John “Dan” Caine, Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The statement was made on July 21, 2026, during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. Caine attended the session alongside other officials to discuss a supplemental funding request submitted by the United States government.
“Recently, we had the first air-to-air victory in which a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter,” the general said during his testimony. The statement represents the first public confirmation of a victory against a crewed aircraft achieved by an F-16 since the model entered service in Ukraine.
Caine, however, did not disclose the type of the Russian aircraft, the location of the engagement, the exact date or the weapon used. He also did not clarify whether the F-16 relied on data supplied by ground-based radars, airborne early-warning aircraft or air defense systems.
CJCS Gen. Caine confirms that a Ukrainian Air Force F-16 shot down a Russian Su-35 in air to air combat. pic.twitter.com/P02lthZsLa
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 21, 2026
Su-35 lost on July 8
The statement has been linked to the loss of a Russian Su-35 multirole fighter recorded on July 8, 2026. At the time, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that an aircraft of this type had been shot down in the eastern sector of the country.
Russian channels also acknowledged the loss of the aircraft and said that the pilot managed to eject. The circumstances surrounding the incident, however, gave rise to different accounts.
Some Russia-linked sources attributed the loss to a Patriot air defense system, claiming that the Su-35 was involved in an engagement with Ukrainian aircraft when it was hit. This account has not been independently confirmed.
Because Caine referred only to a “Russian fighter,” it is not yet possible to state, based exclusively on his remarks, that the aircraft shot down by the F-16 was the Su-35 lost on July 8. The connection between the two events is considered likely by analysts and open-source researchers, but operational details remain restricted.
There is also insufficient evidence to classify the incident as a close-range engagement, frequently called a “dogfight.” An air-to-air victory can occur from dozens of kilometers away, without visual contact between the pilots.
Importance for Ukrainian aviation
The victory represents an important step forward for Ukraine’s F-16 fleet. Since their introduction, the U.S.-made aircraft have been used primarily to intercept drones, cruise missiles and other aerial targets.
The fighters can also carry out missions against ground positions using Western-made guided weapons. Their integration into Ukraine’s defense system makes it possible to combine the aircraft’s sensors with radars, command centers and different surveillance platforms.
Ukraine is expected to receive dozens of F-16s supplied mainly by Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. Many of the aircraft were produced during the 1980s and 1990s but underwent modernization programs before being transferred.
Although they are not the latest version of the F-16, these aircraft can operate with communication systems and weapons compatible with North Atlantic Treaty Organization standards.
Su-35 is one of Russia’s main fighters
The Su-35S is considered one of the most advanced fighters currently operated by Russia. Developed from the Su-27 family, the aircraft features high-powered engines, a long-range radar and the ability to conduct air superiority missions and attacks against ground targets.
During the conflict, Su-35 aircraft have been used to escort other Russian aircraft, patrol regions close to the line of contact and launch weapons from areas protected by Russian defenses.
The loss of one of these aircraft in an engagement with an F-16, should the connection with the July 8 incident be confirmed, would demonstrate that Ukrainian fighters have begun to play a more direct role in the contest for control of the airspace.
The incident, however, does not represent an immediate change in the air balance. Russian aviation continues to have a larger number of aircraft, bases close to the area of operations and an extensive air defense network.
Even so, the first confirmed air-to-air victory by a Ukrainian F-16 shows that the platform is no longer limited to intercepting drones and missiles and has become a concrete threat to Russian aircraft operating in contested areas.
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Source and images: Ukrainian Air Force — @KpsZSU. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
