Ukrainian F-16 Shoots Down Russian Su-35 in Kursk Oblast

A Ukrainian F-16 “Viper” shot down a Su-35 fighter-bomber over Russian territory using a long-range AMRAAM on Saturday morning, the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) announced, posting accompanying video.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the UAF F-16 shot down the Su-35 (NATO: “Flanker”) fighter-bomber was shot down over Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Initial reports said the aircrew survived.

Unconfirmed reports say the Netherlands provided the F-16AM, and the weapon used was an AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Updated information on possible datalink capability

There has been some unconfirmed speculation that Ukraine’s new Swedish-built Saab 340 AEW&C (airborne early warning and control) platform assisted with the kill, either by vectoring the F-16 to a point within the F-16 tracking range or by providing data link to the missile itself for midcourse guidance.

This ability would only be available if the F-16 were equipped with Link-16, which they were allegedly not provided, or with another compatible data link system in unannounced upgrades to the former-Dutch F-16AM.

YouTube channel Anna_From_Ukraine compared the recent destruction of Russia’s military aviation assets to the inevitable extinction of non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago.