Footage circulating online shows the Russian fighter burning on the ground, confirming the destruction of the aircraft. The Su-35, a 4++ generation jet considered among the most advanced in the Russian Air Force, is valued at approximately $98–104 million.
According to the German publication Bild, this was the first instance in which a Russian Su-35 was downed by a U.S.-supplied F-16 fighter jet operated by Ukraine. The F-16 was reportedly used in defence of the Sumy region and in bombing raids on Russian positions, including in Kursk.
In response, Russian forces deployed a Su-35, but the fighter fell into a trap coordinated with Western-supplied assets. Alongside the F-16, Ukraine deployed a Swedish Saab 340 AEW&C (ASC 890) early warning and control aircraft during the mission.
The Saab aircraft detected the Russian jet from a distance of 200 kilometres beyond the Ukrainian border and transmitted the Su-35’s coordinates to the F-16 pilot. As a result, the Ukrainian pilot launched an AIM-120 missile and successfully downed the Su-35 approximately 16 kilometres from the Russian border, near Korenevsky district.
The Russian pilot ejected safely, and Ukrainian aircraft returned to base without loss. Sweden had provided the Saab 340 AEW&C to Ukraine as part of a military aid package, stating that the platform was intended to enhance Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
