Ukrainian F-16 Scores First Air-to-Air Kill of Russian Su-35

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told the Senate Appropriations Committee that a Ukrainian‑operated F‑16 achieved its first confirmed air‑to‑air victory, shooting down a Russian combat aircraft, most likely a Su‑35, on 8 July 2026. The confirmation resolves earlier speculation about the loss of a Russian Su‑35 and marks the first fighter‑versus‑fighter kill by Ukraine’s Western‑supplied F‑16 fleet. Caine highlighted the milestone as evidence of Ukraine’s expanding layered air‑defence system, noting the role of multinational support and the transition of F‑16s from defensive interception to offensive counter‑air missions. Ukrainian Air Force statements on 8 July announced the destruction of the Russian jet, while Russian Telegram channels later confirmed the pilot ejected and survived. The F‑16s have been delivered to Ukraine since the summer of 2024 by several European nations, replacing older Soviet‑era fighters and increasingly being employed against Russian drones, missiles and ground targets.