Key Points – A Ukrainian-piloted F-16 may have shot down a Russian Su-35S “Flanker” fighter jet over Russia’s Kursk region on June 7th, a significant but as-yet-unconfirmed claim.
-The Su-35S was built for one mission: to take on NATO’s best fighters.
-While OSINT analysis confirms an Su-35 did crash, the assertion that an F-16 was responsible, reportedly using an AIM-120 missile with targeting data from a Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft, originates from the German magazine Bild.
-If verified, this would mark the first F-16 air-to-air kill against a Russian jet in the war, representing a major victory for Ukraine and a blow to one of Russia’s most advanced fighters.
Ukrainian F-16 May Have Shot Down a Russian Su-35S
Do you remember when Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky made the case over and over for his country to receive the F-16 Fighting Falcon from the West? He yearned for a fighter that was fast, maneuverable, and pilot-friendly.
It now appears that all the lobbying efforts for the F-16 that Zelensky undertook are paying dividends if recent reports are accurate. A Ukrainian-piloted F-16 may have shot down a Su-35S Flanker fighter jet on June 7. These are unconfirmed claims, but if this action is verified, it would mean a significant victory for the Ukrainian Air Force.
The Russians May Be Smarting Over This News
This hit could be the first time the F-16 has shot down a Russian airplane. When Ukraine received the Fighting Falcon, there was a learning curve for pilots. They mostly stayed in reserved positions and handled anti-ballistic missile and anti-drone duties. The Ukrainian aviators eventually adjusted to flying more offensive combat missions and grew beyond simple air policing operations. Now, one lucky pilot may have enjoyed a victory against the Su-35S, one of Russia’s esteemed fighters.
Hale to the F-16
It is also noteworthy and a touch ironic that the F-16 was originally designed five decades ago to shoot down Russian warplanes during the Cold War. If the downing of the Flanker is true, this is music to the ears of American pilots, engineers, designers, and technicians who had a hand in making the Fighting Falcon (or Viper) one of the best fighter jets the world has ever seen.
Hold It Now, Let’s Take a Deep Breath
But let’s not get carried away because there is no concrete proof beyond reasonable doubt that it was clearly an F-16 versus Su-35S dogfight that the Fighting Falcon won. First, we know that a Russian Su-35S went down. According to the War Zone, which examined Telegram-posted photos of the destruction, there is imagery of a crash site.
We also know that the Su-35S has not enjoyed a stellar war record. At least eight have been destroyed since the beginning of the war.
On June 7, the Ukrainian military posted a photo on micro-blogging site X of the Su-34 Fullback, which is comparable to the Su-35S. Reuters also spotted a remark seen on the Ukrainian military’s Telegram channel that said the Su-35S “was downed as a result of a successful operation in the Kursk direction.” There was video from helicopters that were looking to rescue the pilot. This indicates that the Russian Air Force lost a Flanker in some form of combat-related activity.
Looks Like a Crash and Burn Site
The open-source intelligence analysis entity OSINT Technical said on X, “Footage of a Russian Air Force Su-35 fighter burning on the ground after a successful shootdown over Kursk by the Ukrainian Air Force.” This was accompanied by crash and burn video from the Russian Flanker. OSINT Technical is a credible source and has been active in documenting the war since the initial invasion.
However, the Ukrainian Air Force didn’t say immediately what piece of military hardware they used to destroy the Su-35S.
German Magazine Has the Details
Then, the interesting part happened. The German magazine Bild said it was an F-16 that won a dogfight with the Su-35S.
“Furthermore, the same [Bild] source claims that targeting data was provided by a Saab 340 airborne early warning and control [AEW&C] aircraft, at a distance of around 200-300 kilometers [124-186 miles] from the Russian fighter. At this stage, there’s no confirmation that the Saab 340 AEW&C, two of which have been pledged to Kyiv by Sweden, have actually arrived in Ukraine,” the War Zone claimed.
It should be noted that the Ukrainian Air Force has lost three F-16s, and it is unclear whether these losses resulted from combat missions or accidents. So, let’s not go overboard with the F-16’s sterling record over the skies of Ukraine.
However, this is one substantial development if true. The Fighting Falcon has made many a pilot smile over the last 50 years. The lucky Ukrainian aviator, if he shot down the Russian airplane, is getting high fives from his buddies.
This is more bad news for the Russian Air Force, which is struggling to get its operations together during the war. The Su-35S is one of Vladimir Putin’s best jets. The Russians have never achieved air dominance, and their fighters have mostly been relegated to firing missiles and launching glide bombs from the safety of Russian air space.
For the F-16, it is executing combat missions as if it were born to do so. Zelensky was right to advocate for the Fighting Falcon, and he doggedly kept his eyes on the prize for months. Also, give a hat tip to American trainers and advisors who ensured the Ukrainian pilots learned the ins and outs of flying the F-16.
Look for additional smoking remains of Russian fighters that have been shot down in dogfights against the F-16. More good news is likely on the way.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott, advising the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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