Ukraine has released footage of its F-16 fighter jets in combat, marking the new demonstration of their operational use against Russian missile and drone attacks.
The Ukrainian Air Force said the aircraft played a decisive role in intercepting cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles during a large-scale Russian strike on September 20.
According to the service, Russia launched another mass air attack using Kh-101 cruise missiles and Shahed attack drones targeting multiple Ukrainian cities. F-16 Fighting Falcons were involved in the defense effort, flying combat sorties to intercept incoming weapons.
“The majority of Kh-101s shot down today are on the account of Ukrainian Fighting Falcons,” the Air Force of Ukraine stated.
The service released footage showing F-16s engaging targets with AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles as well as cannon fire against low-flying drones and cruise missiles.
Since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has relied largely on aging Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG-29 Fulcrums and Su-27 Flankers. At the time, Ukraine’s fleet numbered no more than 69 airframes. Though Ukrainian pilots adapted these fighters for air defense tasks, including launches of NATO-supplied munitions, they lacked the advanced sensors, weapons integration, and survivability of newer-generation aircraft.
By revealing combat footage of the F-16s in action, the Air Force of Ukraine sought to underline both their operational effect and the enduring need for advanced systems to counter Russia’s strategy of targeting cities and critical infrastructure.