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Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Downs Six Russian Cruise Missiles in Historic Mission on December 13, 2024, Says Yurii Ihnat

Jan 7, 2025, 10:37 AM

A Ukrainian pilot flying an F-16 fighter jet achieved a historic feat by shooting down six Russian cruise missiles during a single combat mission on December 13, 2024. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed this as the first instance in the history of the F-16 Fighting Falcon where such an accomplishment was recorded. According to Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Air Force, the pilot utilized four air-to-air missiles—two medium-range and two short-range—to neutralize four of the incoming threats. After exhausting his missile supply, the pilot used the aircraft's cannon to destroy two additional missiles, demonstrating exceptional skill under intense conditions. The mission took place during a large-scale Russian aerial attack involving nearly 200 drones and 94 missiles targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.