Moscow: Russia has announced that it shot down an F-16 fighter jet, considered the pride of America. A Russian commander stated that the US-...
Moscow: Russia has announced that it shot down an F-16 fighter jet, considered the pride of America. A Russian commander stated that the US-made F-16 aircraft operated by Ukraine was brought down using Russia’s S-300 air defense system.
The commander, identified by the call sign ‘Sever,’ clarified the matter on Sunday. He said that the S-300 system detected and destroyed the American-supplied F-16. Two missiles were fired from the S-300 system at the aircraft; the first missile damaged the jet, and the second completely destroyed it.
"We had been preparing for this mission for a long time. We tracked it and waited for it. The enemy claimed these planes were indestructible. But it has now been proven that, like any other aircraft, these too can be shot down from the sky," he said. However, he did not reveal the exact date the incident took place.
Background
Ukraine received its first F-16 jets in August 2024 during the administration of former US President Joe Biden. At the time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the aircraft were arriving from countries like Denmark and the Netherlands.
Current President Donald Trump has continued this policy. In May 2025, Washington signed a $300 million agreement for F-16 jets and related equipment. According to a Business Insider report, Ukraine has officially received 44 of the 87 aircraft promised by Western nations. Although Zelensky claims that more F-16s will change the course of the war, current evidence suggests they haven't been able to stop the Russian army's progress.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. According to Russia’s claims, they intervened militarily due to Western interference in the region and threats against people of Russian descent. The downing of the F-16 is seen as a major blow to Ukraine and its Western allies.
In an interview with the Russian TV channel 'Rossiya 1', Commander Sever described the F-16 as "the most interesting target we have encountered." He also claimed that since December 2024, they have destroyed several NATO-supplied aircraft using the S-300 system.
This incident is reported following Russia’s use of the 'Oreshnik' hypersonic missile in retaliation for a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence. This missile, which travels ten times faster than sound, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Since the war began, both sides have suffered heavy losses. While Russia lost its Flanker jets and helicopters, Ukraine has lost numerous aircraft, hundreds of tanks, and combat vehicles. The war is intensifying as attacks on infrastructure continue.
India Also Downed an F-16 Effortlessly
India has also shot down an F-16 fighter jet. On February 27, 2019, the Indian Air Force shot down a Pakistani F-16 that attempted to violate Indian airspace.
Following India's surgical strike in Balakot, Pakistan, in response to the Pulwama terror attack, the Pakistani military launched 'Operation Swift Retort' targeting Indian military posts.
Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman, flying an older MiG-21 Bison, brought down the Pakistan Air Force’s modern F-16. An R-73 air-to-air missile fired from the MiG-21 destroyed the F-16.
During the engagement, the MiG-21 was also hit, and Abhinandan landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir via parachute. Although the Pakistani army took him into custody, he was released within 60 hours following strong diplomatic pressure from India. The fact that an old MiG-21 was used to shoot down one of the world's best fighter jets, the F-16, led to major military discussions globally.
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