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Kyiv reports F-16s destroy 11 Russian missiles in air battle.
On December 13, the Russian Air Force launched a massive missile barrage targeting Ukraine, firing a total of 93 missiles. Ukrainian officials reported that their air defense systems, bolstered by the newly deployed F-16s, intercepted all together 81 of the incoming projectiles.
“Preliminary reports confirm 93 missiles were fired. We successfully downed 81, including 11 cruise missiles, thanks to our F-16s,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated.
Sources tracking Russian air activity indicate that the majority of the missiles used in the assault were Kalibr and Kh-101 cruise missiles. Observers monitoring Russian aircraft movements reported that at least eight MiG-31 fighter jets and four Tu-95SM strategic bombers were involved in the strike. While unconfirmed, there is speculation that Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers may have also participated in the missile attack.
As the war in Ukraine intensifies, Ukrainian F-16s have rapidly become a critical asset in the country’s air defense strategy. With the arrival of these advanced fighter jets in 2023 and 2024, Ukraine has been able to significantly enhance its capability to counter Russian missile threats.
Reports indicate that the F-16s played a pivotal role in intercepting Russian cruise missiles targeting key infrastructure. With their radar systems and air-to-air missile capabilities, the F-16s were able to engage and destroy incoming threats that would otherwise have caused catastrophic damage.
As Ukraine’s F-16 fleet grew in 2024, the aircraft’s performance against Russian missile strikes improved dramatically. Ukrainian F-16s equipped with good avionics and weapon systems were able to intercept and neutralize missiles during their early flight stages.
These capabilities were particularly effective in preventing strikes on energy and military infrastructure, where Russian cruise missiles posed a significant threat.
Ukrainian F-16s have also been tasked with conducting air patrols to detect and engage Russian missiles in real-time. This proactive defense strategy has allowed the jets to intercept incoming threats before they could reach their intended targets. With the ability to engage missiles in mid-flight using air-to-air missiles and advanced targeting systems, the F-16s have become an essential tool in Ukraine’s defensive arsenal.
Though the specifics of each mission remain limited, it is clear that the F-16s have become a game-changer for Ukraine’s defense against Russian missile attacks.
As training and operational experience grow, these jets are expected to play an even larger role in the ongoing conflict, providing a robust counter to Russia’s air and missile strikes.
Ukraine’s receipt of F-16 fighter jets marks a pivotal shift in its air defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. After months of negotiations and training, the first aircraft were delivered in late 2023, with Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway leading the effort by sending surplus F-16s.
This represents a significant step forward for Ukraine’s air forces, which have relied heavily on outdated Soviet-era aircraft since the start of the war.
The F-16s are being integrated into Ukraine’s air defense operations, with an emphasis on intercepting Russian cruise missiles and enhancing counter-air capabilities. Ukrainian pilots, who began their training with NATO instructors in the summer of 2023, have already begun operating the aircraft in key defense missions.
Reports suggest that the aircraft are being used not only for intercepting missiles but also for attacking high-value Russian targets, particularly in contested regions.
By early 2024, Ukraine is expected to have received up to 40 F-16s, with additional deliveries planned from other NATO members in the coming months. The U.S. has also pledged to provide further training, ensuring that Ukrainian forces can fully exploit the advanced avionics and weapons systems of the F-16.
This integration will likely provide Ukraine with a much-needed edge in combating Russian aerial superiority and will play a critical role in defending Ukrainian airspace as the war intensifies.
These developments are part of a broader effort by NATO to modernize Ukraine’s military, ensuring it has the capability to respond effectively to Russia’s growing missile and airstrike threats.
The F-16 program, which includes the delivery of aircraft, ongoing pilot training, and maintenance support, represents a major leap forward in Ukraine’s air capabilities, and its impact on the battlefield is expected to grow as more aircraft become operational.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.
Bulgarian Military