Ukrainian F-16 Pilot’s Record-Breaking Missile Intercept
During a massive Russian missile attack on December 13, 2024, a Ukrainian F-16 pilot achieved a remarkable feat by destroying six cruise missiles in a single sortie. This involved using both air-to-air missiles and, for the first time in combat, the aircraft’s gun to down two missiles in a stacked formation. The pilot’s success, exceeding initial American expectations, contributed to the overall interception of 81 Russian missiles that day, with F-16 pilots accounting for eleven. This extraordinary performance highlights the skill of Ukrainian pilots even with older aircraft.
John Q. Hosedrinker