Ukraine has released footage showing its F-16 fighter jets intercepting Russian cruise missiles and drones during a large-scale overnight strike on Friday.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 619 aerial threats during the attack, including 579 Shahed-type drones, Kh-101 cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles. Ukrainian defenses reported shooting down 552 drones, two ballistic missiles, and 29 of 32 Kh-101s.
“The lion’s share of downed Kh-101 cruise missiles today is credited to Ukrainian F-16 pilots,” the Air Force noted.
U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets give Ukraine significantly enhanced air defense capabilities against a variety of aerial threats, including high-speed cruise missiles and drones. Equipped with advanced radars such as the AN/APG-68 and armed with weapons like AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, the F-16s can detect and engage fast-moving targets at long ranges.
Video released by the Air Force shows the U.S.-made jets firing AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and engaging low-flying targets using M61A1 Vulcan cannons.
Ukrainian Air Force in action during russia’s massive strike on our territory.
On video: F-16 pilots, air defense systems, and mobile fire groups.
The lion’s share of downed Kh-101 cruise missiles today is credited to Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
🤝 Grateful to our partners for… pic.twitter.com/wwUyDElhLe
— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) September 21, 2025
Despite the interceptions, impacts and falling debris were reported at multiple locations. Missile and drone strikes struck residential areas in Dnipro, killing one person and injuring 36 others.
Additional casualties occurred in the Khmelnytskyi region, where one person died and two were injured. Damage from the strikes and debris was also confirmed in the Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions.
Ukraine began receiving its first U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from European allies in mid-2024, including transfers from the Netherlands and Denmark.
Initially focused on air defense, the jets have also been used offensively against Russian positions in Kursk Oblast. In June, a Ukrainian F-16 was credited with shooting down a Russian Su-35S fighter near Korenevo using an AIM-120 AMRAAM, with support from a Swedish Saab 340 airborne radar aircraft.
Since delivery, Ukraine has lost four F-16s amid the ongoing war with Russia.
