Video: Ukrainian pilots shoot down Russian missiles with F-16 fighter jets
Since their arrival in Ukraine, Western-supplied F-16s and Mirage 2000s have quickly become a crucial element of the country’s air defense and strike capabilities. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, both aircraft demonstrated their value again on November 19, when they intercepted and destroyed at least ten Russian cruise missiles launched during another large-scale attack.
The pursuit of a Russian Kh-101 missile by a Ukrainian F-16 https://t.co/7UdnKEkh69 pic.twitter.com/41iNRHCaSW
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) November 20, 2025
Ukraine officially introduced the first F-16s into service in August 2024. In the months that followed, the jets have played a decisive role in protecting Ukrainian airspace. Ukrainian officials report that F-16s alone have shot down more than 1,300 Russian air targets, including cruise missiles, attack drones, and various guided munitions, highlighting their growing impact on the battlefield.
The Mirage 2000s, provided by France, have also proven highly effective thanks to their powerful radar systems and quick-reaction capabilities. In combined missions, the two platforms have strengthened Ukraine’s ability to disrupt Russia’s long-range strike campaigns.
Beyond air-defense operations, F-16s have increasingly supported front-line troops. Ukrainian pilots have used the aircraft to hit over 300 ground targets, destroying armored vehicles, command nodes, drone control centers, ammunition stockpiles, and logistical infrastructure used by Russian forces. Their ability to deliver precision strikes has made them one of Kyiv’s most valuable offensive assets.
Video: F-16 Pilot Downed 6 Russian Missiles in Single Mission / YouTube
Despite these successes, Ukrainian commanders stress that the full potential of the F-16 fleet depends on a continuous flow of munitions from Western partners. Pilots and ground crews are operating daily in extremely demanding conditions, often conducting multiple missions in the same day.
“The only issue on everyone’s mind right now is the uninterrupted and timely supply of Western air-launched weapons,” the Ukrainian Air Force noted. “Without enough bombs and missiles, even the F-16 cannot deliver the decisive results needed to defeat the enemy.”
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet, developed in the 1970s by the American company General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin Aeronautics), has proven to be one of the most successful and widely used platforms of its generation. Thanks to ongoing upgrades, newer variants (such as the Block 70/72) represent an advanced combat system with advanced AESA radar technology, the ability to use high-precision ammunition, and modern electronic warfare capabilities.
These aircraft are currently in service in dozens of countries and represent a versatile military tool capable of effectively performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
