A record in the sky: Ukrainian F-16 pilot destroys six missiles in one flight

An F-16 aircraft. Photo: Getty Images

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet pilot has set a unique achievement by shooting down six enemy cruise missiles in one combat mission during one of Russia's large-scale attacks on Ukraine.

This was announced by Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Head of Public Relations of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

According to Ihnat, the F-16 pilot first fired all four «air-to-air» missiles, successfully destroying four enemy cruise missiles. However, he spotted another target and decided to use the aircraft cannon.

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«Shooting down cruise missiles with a cannon is very risky because of the high speed of the target and the danger of detonation. But I did what the instructors in the US had taught me, and I managed to hit it. As it turned out, two missiles flying next to each other were destroyed at the same time», the pilot told Yurii Ihnat.

The Air Force stressed that this case is exceptional: for the first time in history, an F-16 pilot managed to destroy six cruise missiles in one flight, two of which were neutralised by an aircraft gun.

Ihnat also stressed that although Ukraine has not received the latest F-16 modifications, Ukrainian pilots demonstrate high professionalism every day, using the equipment at the limit of its capabilities.

As a reminder, on the night of 6 January, Ukrainian air defence forces shot down two Russian X-59 guided missiles over Mykolaiv region.