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First Video of Ukrainian F-16 in Action Shows Missile Strike on Drone

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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First Video of Ukrainian F-16 in Action Shows Missile Strike on Drone
Illustrative image. A General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon performs at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Source: Getty Images)

What appears to be one of the first recorded instances of a Ukrainian-operated F-16 fighter jet engaging an aerial target has surfaced online, according to a Ukrainian OSINT MilitaryAviationInUa on May 1.

The video captures the jet in action: the moment the missile is launched and the apparent destruction of the target shortly thereafter.

While the exact nature of the target has not been officially confirmed, analysts believe it was likely a large, slow-moving drone — sizable enough to be easily detected by the jet’s radar systems.

The footage offers a rare glimpse into Ukraine’s ongoing integration of Western-supplied F-16s into its air defense and combat operations, marking a symbolic milestone in the modernization of the Ukrainian Air Force.

The deployment of F-16s in Ukraine follows a long process of international coordination and training. On August 4, 2024, President Zelenskyy confirmed that the first F-16s had arrived in the country. These US-made jets are primarily used to intercept aerial threats, including missiles and drones.

In addition to F-16s, Ukraine operates French Mirage 2000 fighter jets and Soviet-era MiG aircraft. Ukrainian Mirage jets are used in both defensive and strike roles, while MiGs continue to serve in various combat operations.

The Air Force employs a mixed fleet to support ground forces, defend airspace, and conduct offensive operations under increasingly complex conditions.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force released footage showing the destruction of a Russian Shahed drone by a MiG-29 fighter jet pilot during an early morning air defense mission.

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