A Ukrainian F-16 pilot claims to have broken a record and downed six Russian cruise missiles during a single mission (even though the aircraft was only carrying four air-to-air missiles). Two of these cruise missiles were neutralized with the aircraft’s cannon. While much has been written about how the F-16 compares to Russian fighter jets, air-to-air fighter-on-fighter engagements are comparably rare. The Ukrainians appear to be using them mostly in an air defense role ( rumors that Ukrainian F-16s have downed Russian fighter jets remain unconfirmedand unsubstantiated).