U.S. general: Ukrainian F-16 downed Russian fighter jet
Officials say it was the first air-to-air kill for Ukraine’s F-16 fleet, but the jet type, time and location were not disclosed.
U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter jet, which he called the first air-to-air victory for Ukraine’s F-16 fleet. Caine made the comment during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington on 21 July 2026 while discussing defense support for Ukraine with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He did not disclose the type of Russian aircraft, the date or location of the incident, the missile used, or the F-16 unit involved. The most likely target is a Su-35 that the Ukrainian Air Force said was shot down in the eastern sector on 8 July, but there is no public evidence the two incidents are the same.