Kanal13

Ukrainian F-16s massively destroy Russian targets with their cannons over the skies

Duration: 4:08 577 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Ukrainian F-16 pilots are currently facing a critical shortage of air-to-air missiles, forcing them to rely exclusively on their internal cannons for certain daytime missions against Russian aerial threats. Available missile supplies have become so scarce that they are now being strictly rationed, with Ukrainian Air Force officials tracking shipments minute by minute as they cross the border. The primary concern among commanders is whether these vital weapons will arrive in time to counter the next major Russian attack, highlighting a precarious situation where aircraft without missiles are deemed useless for effective combat operations. The F-16 fighters have become an integral part of Ukraine's multi-layered air defense system since their introduction in the summer of 2024, tasked with hunting Russian drones, cruise missiles, and countering enemy combat aircraft. While these jets are primarily armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range and AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range missiles, the supply of both has dwindled to a point where they are treated as commodities rather than standard munitions. When missile stocks run low, pilots resort to using onboard cannons, a tactic that is significantly riskier, particularly when engaging small or slow targets during nighttime operations, as evidenced by an incident in May 2025 where a pilot was forced to eject after destroying three targets with his cannon. Commanders like "Phantom," who leads the 107th Brigade, have urgently called for additional supplies of air-to-air missiles and interceptors for Patriot ground batteries, arguing that simply delivering more aircraft is insufficient without a sustainable arms pipeline. They note that Patriot interceptors are being rapidly depleted by the dual pressures of defending against ballistic missiles and competing with global demand from conflicts in the Middle East. Furthermore, these same missile types, especially the AMRAAM, serve as key components in ground-based systems like NASAMS protecting Kyiv, creating a complex logistical challenge where air force needs directly compete with national defense requirements. To address these growing vulnerabilities, Ukrainian leaders are urging Western partners to expand production capacities and facilitate localized manufacturing within Ukraine or other European countries rather than relying on one-time deliveries. There is also a strong emphasis on implementing tougher sanctions to prevent Russia from acquiring high-tech components for its missile production through third parties, with warnings that even mundane items like washing machines could be used to source necessary rocket parts. As winter approaches and Moscow traditionally intensifies attacks on energy infrastructure, the need for a robust and continuous supply of air defense systems has never been more critical for Ukraine's survival.

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Ukrainian F-16 pilots are facing such a severe shortage of air-to-air missiles that on some daytime missions, they have had to rely solely on the fighter's internal cannons to counter Russian aerial threats. Available missile supplies are now being rationed. According to Newsmax journalist Shelby Wilder, the Ukrainian Air Force is tracking missile shipments as they cross the country's border, counting not only the hours, but even the minutes until the weapons reach aircraft. The main concern is whether the missiles will arrive in time for the next major Russian attack, TWZ reports. A Ukrainian commander with the call sign Phantom, who identified himself as the commander of the 107th Brigade, confirmed the problem directly. "Yes, it's true. Any aircraft without weapons is useless. F-16 fighters have reportedly become an important part of Ukraine's multi-layered air defense system. They hunt Russian drones and cruise missiles and are also capable of countering Russian combat aircraft. Ukraine has been operating F-16s [music] since the summer of 2024. We're focusing on protecting our skies from Russian drones to protect our domestic infrastructure," Phantom said. "Our priority target is cruise missiles. The F-16 is primarily armed with the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile and the AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile. These missiles are now in short supply. They've become a commodity, the availability of which determines the performance of a combat sortie. When missiles are in short supply, pilots resort to using the onboard cannon, but this is a much riskier tactic, especially against small, slow targets and at night. In May 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that an F-16 pilot destroyed three targets with a cannon before an emergency forced him to eject. Phantom called for additional supplies of air-to-air missiles, as well as interceptors for the Patriot ground batteries. "We need more defenses, Patriot missiles and AM-9 or AM-120 missiles for our fleet." He argued that simply supplying aircraft is not enough. "Ukraine needs a sustainable and constant arms pipeline. Patriot interceptors are being rapidly depleted and new ones are arriving in small batches, >> [music] >> limiting Ukraine's ability to defend against ballistic missiles. The continued use of interceptors competes with the enormous demand generated by the wars in the Middle East and the overall growth in demand for air defense systems worldwide. We need to at least try to increase production or at least allow Ukraine to localize production in Ukraine or other European countries," Phantom said. He also noted that both the AM-9 and especially the AM-120 are used in Ukraine's ground-based air defense systems. In particular, the AMRAAM is the striking element of the NASAMS system, which protects Kyiv from cruise missiles and drones. Separately, Phantom called on Western partners to consider not only one-time arms deliveries, but also to expand production capacity and do more to prevent Russia from obtaining components for its own missile production through third countries. "We need to do everything possible to stop the supply of high-tech components to the Russians bypassing direct sales through third parties," he emphasized. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Russians use a washing machine >> [music] >> purchased through a third party to obtain the necessary components for rocket construction. He believes that tougher sanctions are needed to deny Russia access to these components. The problem could worsen further when Russia launches another major air campaign against Ukraine. Moscow traditionally intensifies attacks on the country's energy infrastructure during the winter months. >> [music]