On December 13, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, firing over 90 missiles and nearly 200 drones at the country.
The primary target of this strike was Ukraine's energy infrastructure. During the attack, a Ukrainian pilot was on a mission to protect his country from these deadly missiles.
The pilot, who did not want to reveal his name, shot down four Russian cruise missiles using air-to-air missiles, according to Portal Obronny.
The missiles were equipped with electronic protection, which made them harder to destroy.
Despite the challenges, the pilot managed to bring them down. He explained that he initially used long-range missiles before getting close enough to the remaining targets to use short-range missiles.
After shooting down the four missiles, the pilot was told to return to base. However, he spotted another missile heading toward Kiev.
The pilot decided to try to take it down using the F-16 fighter’s rapid-fire cannon, which he had trained to use in the United States.
Although the chances of hitting a fast-moving missile were small, the pilot received permission to try.
He described the difficulty of the task, knowing that a close encounter with the missile’s warhead could destroy his plane.
Despite the odds, the pilot successfully shot the missile down. To his surprise, he realized there were two missiles flying side by side, not just one.
This moment became a record for him as he managed to take down six cruise missiles in one sortie.
The Ukrainian air force later confirmed the pilot’s success, making history as the first time an American F-16 had shot down six cruise missiles, including two with its cannon.
The accomplishment was praised by both Ukrainian and American officials, with the Americans impressed by the skill of their Ukrainian trainees.
This remarkable feat was dedicated to the pilots who lost their lives before the F-16s arrived in Ukraine.
