The general did not specify the type of Russian aircraft involved or disclose the location, date, or circumstances of the aerial engagement.
This makes the article a nothing burgher. There is a vast difference between a Mig23ML and a Su-27.
The story is that the F16s are up and effective. This is more about the planes, crews, and logistics working rather than a Top Gun plot.
True. I was going into the article as news like the title insinuates. But it is the story around the success of the program.
FYI. Not sure if this is accurate or not but it claims that an Su-35 was shot down: https://sopuli.xyz/post/49147538
It says it may have been a su-35 that was confirmed down recently. That would be a solid victory
I don’t think it was the first time. From https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-land-defense/land-defense-2024/breaking-news-ukrainian-f-16-fighter-wins-first-air-to-air-fight-shoots-down-russian-su-34
According to several reports published on social networks on October 13, 2024, an F-16 fighter jet operated by the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. This victory, Ukraine’s first in air-to-air combat using the F-16, was achieved with the advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, known for its infrared homing and high maneuverability.
The difference may be shooting a fighter down instead of a bomber. -34’s are “fighter-bombers” but AFAIK they are mainly used for ground attack roles
Thanks!
