Ukraine’s F‑16 ‘draws first blood’ of Su-35... yet no footage, no wreck, just one vague US soundbite

A top U.S. military official has confirmed that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter achieved its first confirmed air-to-air victory against a Russian combat aircraft. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told U.S. lawmakers that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian fighter during combat operations, though he did not identify the aircraft or reveal operational details. His remarks reinforce earlier reports that a Russian Su-35S was downed on July 8, with Ukraine claiming the kill and Russia saying the pilot ejected safely. The milestone highlights Ukraine's growing ability to employ Western-supplied F-16s in air combat, even as analysts say Russia still retains an overall advantage in the skies.