Twelve Russian soldiers were awarded $195,000 for shooting down a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet for the first time.
Twelve Russian soldiers were awarded $195,000 for shooting down a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet for the first time.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•04/06/2025
On May 29, after a special military operation, twelve Russian soldiers were awarded 15 million Russian rubles (approximately $195,000) for their unit's success in intercepting a Ukrainian Air Force F-16 fighter jet. Photo: @FORES/Telegram. This particular feat involved the coordinated efforts of 12 Russian soldiers, who tracked, targeted, neutralized, and ultimately shot down the F-16. Ukrainian sources have also confirmed the loss of one F-16. Photo: @FORES/Telegram.
According to a statement from the Russian company Fores (a provider of high-tech industrial solutions for the oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical and energy industries), the award ceremony took place in the border area near the conflict zone, and was also attended by Russian military commanders. Photo: @FORES/Telegram. The bonus follows a previous commitment by Fores to encourage Russian forces to target advanced Western military equipment supplied to Ukraine. Photo: @FORES/Telegram. In fact, the promise of a reward for shooting down an F-16 was first announced by Sergei Shmotyev, CEO of the Fores company, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2024. At that time, Sergei Shmotyev publicly announced that the company would pay 15 million Russian rubles to whoever shot down the first F-16 in a conflict zone. Photo: @ Sky News. According to TASS, in December 2024, Shmotyev reaffirmed the company's commitment to the F-16 downing reward, demonstrating Russia's intention to boost military morale and counter Russia's advanced military technology. Fores has previously paid bounties for destroying Western tanks, such as the German Leopard 2 and the American M1 Abrams, with bonuses ranging from 5 to 10 million Russian rubles per vehicle, depending on the strategic value of the target. Photo: @Carnegie Endowment. Details surrounding the downing of the Ukrainian F-16 remain limited, as neither the Russian nor Ukrainian authorities have released a comprehensive report on the incident. According to a report by TASS, the F-16 was destroyed in the conflict zone. However, the exact location and circumstances were not disclosed. Photo: @Wikipedia. Russian military sources, quoted by TASS news agency, claimed that the jet was successfully shot down thanks to a combination of ground-based air defense systems, possibly including advanced surface-to-air missile systems such as the S-400 or Buk-M3, which are capable of engaging targets at high altitudes and at high speeds. Photo: @The Citizen.
The F-16, the cornerstone of Western air power, is a multirole fighter jet designed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) in the 1970s. It remains one of the most advanced and versatile aircraft in the world , with more than 4,500 built and operated by more than 25 countries. Photo: @Simple Flying. The F-16s supplied to Ukraine could be Block 50/52 or Block 70/72 variants, which feature advanced avionics, radar systems, and compatibility with a wide range of weapons. The jets are powered by a single engine, either a Pratt & Whitney F100 or General Electric F110, providing a top speed of Mach 2 (equivalent to about 2,470 km/h) and a combat radius of about 547 km. Photo: @Lockheed Martin. The Ukrainian F-16s were equipped with a mix of weapons tailored to the needs of the conflict, including AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to attack enemy aircraft, AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles to target radar systems, and precision-guided munitions such as the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb for ground attacks. Photo: @Fly a jet fighter. The jet also carries electronic countermeasures, such as decoys and flares, to ward off missile threats. Compared to Russian rivals like the Su-35, the F-16 has superior agility and avionics, but is less heavily armed, making it more dependent on pilot skill and certain aerial tactics. Photo: @ Defense News. Ukraine's F-16s could be equipped with NATO-standard communications systems, allowing them to work with Western intelligence platforms and the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). Photo: @ autoevolution. The F-16’s versatility makes it a vital asset for Ukraine, but its vulnerability to Russian air defenses highlights the unique challenges of operating advanced aircraft in modern technological warfare. The jet’s radar cross-section, while reduced in later versions, can still be detected by advanced Russian systems like the S-400, which has a range of up to 402 km and can engage multiple targets at once. Photo: @The Economic Times.
Russian forces have also deployed MiG-31 interceptors armed with R-37M air-to-air missiles, which have a range of nearly 320 km, posing a threat to F-16s operating at long ranges. Integrating these systems with electronic warfare capabilities, such as the Krasukha-4 jamming system, complicates Ukraine’s ability to protect these jets. Photo: @Wikipedia. Historically, the F-16 shootdown recalls past examples of Russia adapting to confronting Western technology. The Leopard 2, Challenger 2, Abrams, and Storm Shadow all had their initial challenges, but Russia’s development of new tactics and systems—such as the extensive use of Lancet drones and upgraded missile systems—shows Russia’s ability to rapidly adapt to military confrontation. Photo: @Wikipedia. Since 2022, NATO countries led by the US have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid, including tanks, artillery and air defense systems. The F-16, a multirole, advanced fighter jet, represents a significant escalation in Western support aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian air superiority. Photo: @Washington Times. So now the incident highlights the challenges Ukraine faces in integrating and defending these high-value assets against Russia’s powerful air defenses. It also highlights the psychological and strategic impact of such losses, as Russia seeks to demonstrate its ability to counter Western military technology. Photo: @ World Defence News.
For Ukraine, the loss of even one F-16 is a matter of concern, as the country has received a limited number of the jets from NATO allies including the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium as part of its efforts to modernize its aging air force. Photo: @ World Defence News. Each F-16 represents a critical asset for conducting precision strikes, intercepting Russian aircraft, and supporting ground operations. So the successful destruction of an F-16 jet by Russia, while not catastrophic, could strain Ukraine’s limited air capabilities and raise questions about the sustainability of operating advanced Western aircraft in such a high-risk combat environment. Photo: @ Root-Nation.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•04/06/2025
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