Dan Kane: A Ukrainian F-16 has shot down a Russian fighter jet for the first time
He made this statement during a hearing before the US Senate Appropriations Committee.
During the hearing, Democratic Senator Richard Durbin asked how a possible cessation of funding for air defence over the next three years might affect Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
In response, Dan Kane highlighted the development of Ukraine’s defence industry and the expansion of its own capabilities – ranging from surface-to-air systems to air-to-air weapons.
“The first aerial engagement took place recently, when a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter,” the general stated.
Cane did not specify the type of Russian aircraft destroyed, nor the date or location of the engagement. He also did not disclose what type of missile the Ukrainian pilot used or the distance at which the target was hit.
Therefore, the American general’s remarks confirm that the F-16 did indeed achieve an aerial victory, but do not provide grounds for describing this incident as a close-range manoeuvring engagement or a classic aerial dogfight.
Is this about a downed Su-35?
It is likely that Dan Kane was referring to the Russian Su-35 multi-role fighter, the destruction of which was confirmed by the Ukrainian Air Force on 8 July 2026.
At the time, the Air Force Command reported that a Russian Su-35 had been shot down in the eastern sector. However, the Ukrainian side did not specify the weapon used nor clarify which aircraft had carried out the combat mission.
Dan Kane himself did not directly link his statement to this incident. Therefore, the claim that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down the Su-35 on 8 July remains a reasonable assumption rather than an officially confirmed fact.
What Kane said about Ukraine’s air defence
The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff noted that in recent years Ukraine has significantly strengthened its multi-layered air defence system.
According to him, this has been achieved thanks to the country’s own defence industry and assistance from international partners. Ukraine is developing ground-based air defence systems, fighter aircraft and means of intercepting various types of aerial targets.
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