WATCH: F-16 Pilot Blasts Russian Shahed From Sky Using Vulcan Cannon

A Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down a Russian Shahed drone using the aircraft’s onboard cannon, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

Sharing a video on Telegram, the Air Force wrote: “This is not AI-generated footage – this is a real Ukrainian pilot in an F-16 fighter jet shooting down an enemy Shahed over Ukraine.”

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In the roughly 30-second video filmed by eyewitnesses on the ground, a Shahed drone can be seen flying overhead before a powerful explosion lights up the sky and the telltale zipper-like rip of the 20mm Gatling gun firing about a half-second burst at a rate of 6,000 rounds per minute is heard as the muzzle report catches up with the nearer explosion at the speed of sound. Moments later, the F-16’s planform appears as the jet turns hard right to avoid the debris and quickly departs the area.

Kyiv Post was unable to verify the time or location of the footage independently.

The service noted this was far from the first such interception, adding: “The pilot used an aircraft cannon to eliminate the target. Video from social media, author unknown – the pilot is ours!”

The Air Force also described the F-16 as “a bone in the enemy’s throat,” saying Russian forces are constantly trying to destroy the aircraft – and adding they will not succeed.

The AIRTEAM_UA Telegram channel said the Shahed was downed by an F-16 from the Air Force’s 107th Aviation Wing, using its M61A1 Vulcan cannon.

Experts say such engagements are risky, as any mistake at close range can result in loss of aircraft control.

A Ukrainian F-16 pilot reportedly made aviation history in January 2025 by downing six Russian cruise missiles in a single combat mission – four with air-to-air missiles and two using the aircraft’s 20mm cannon.

The interception followed Russia’s massive Dec. 13, 2024, strike on Ukraine, which involved nearly 200 attack drones and more than 90 missiles, including Kinzhals and cruise missiles launched from air, sea, and land.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat said the F-16 was scrambled with two AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, two AIM-9 Sidewinders, and 500 cannon rounds.

Despite intense electronic warfare, the pilot successfully destroyed four cruise missiles with two AMRAAMs and two Sidewinders. Low on fuel but spotting additional threats headed toward Kyiv, he chose to reengage.

In a high-risk maneuver, the pilot intercepted another missile flying at over 650 kph using the aircraft’s cannon – something Ukrainian pilots had only practiced in US simulators.

The pilot later said hitting such a fast target required matching altitude and closing to within 1.5 km – dangerously close given the risk of debris from the detonating warhead of the drone. After several cannon bursts, he realized he had destroyed not one but two missiles.

Ihnat said even American partners struggled to believe the feat.

The pilot downplayed talk of records, saying the result mattered most and dedicating the success to fallen comrades who never lived to see F-16s flying in Ukrainian skies.

Ihnat said that Ukraine’s F-16s are not the latest models and lack the most advanced radars and avionics, but said that Ukrainian pilots continue to prove their skill daily.

He added that war-hardened Ukrainian aviators would become a powerful deterrent in Europe once the Air Force eventually receives F-35s.

Julia Struck is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.