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Ukraine’s F-16 Reportedly Destroys Russian Su-35 in First Air Battle, Backed by Swedish AWACS

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Ivan Khomenko
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Ukraine’s F-16 Reportedly Destroys Russian Su-35 in First Air Battle, Backed by Swedish AWACS
Ukrainian F-16 returns after striking Russian positions near Kurakhove, Dnipropetrovsk Region, February 17, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

For the first time in military aviation history, a Western-made F-16 fighter jet has shot down a Russian Su-35 in an air-to-air engagement.

According to Bild, the incident occurred on June 7 over northeastern Ukraine during a Ukrainian Air Force operation to target Russian positions in Sumy region and neighboring Russia’s Kursk region.

The Ukrainian Air Force deployed a Dutch-modified F-16AM, supported by a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C airborne early warning aircraft. The AWACS platform reportedly detected the Russian aircraft 200–300 kilometers from the border and relayed targeting data in real time to the F-16.

Once within range, the Ukrainian fighter launched an AIM-120 air-to-air missile. The Russian Su-35 was shot down approximately 16 kilometers inside Russian territory, near the town of Korenovo in Kursk region.

Russian sources confirmed the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Ukrainian forces involved in the mission returned safely.

The incident is considered significant due to the capabilities of the Su-35, one of Russia’s most advanced multirole fighters, and the fact that the intercept was conducted by an older F-16AM variant.

Analysts noted that the engagement marks the first air-to-air combat operation involving a Ukrainian F-16. They emphasized that the successful strike challenges perceptions about the obsolescence of this F-16 model.

Ukraine received its first batch of F-16s from the Netherlands and the United States in May 2025. The Saab 340 AEW&C aircraft involved in the operation was part of a Swedish aid package delivered earlier this year.

Earlier, on June 7, Ukraine’s Air Force reported that its forces had shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet over the Kursk region during a cross-border operation. The $100 million aircraft is one of Russia’s most advanced non-stealth fighters and has seen repeated losses in the war despite its high-end capabilities.

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