The Video Does Not Show an F-16 Shooting Down a Russian Drone

Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.

Misbar's team found that the video is sourced from the game Digital Combat Simulator World, showing a battle between the F-16 and the Su-57.

The video was uploaded to YouTube by a channel named Mushroom Cloud Confetti, which, according to its description, specializes in flight simulations, captivating footage from sorties in Digital Combat Simulator and Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

Digital Combat Simulator World (DCS) is a combat flight simulation platform that offers a level of realism and detail in aerial warfare.

Ukrainian F-16 Fighter Jet Downed Amid Intense Russian Missile Assault

A Ukrainian military source has reported to the BBC that one of the F-16 fighter jets supplied by NATO allies to Ukraine has been destroyed. The aircraft went down during a significant barrage of Russian missiles on Monday, tragically resulting in the death of pilot Oleksiy Mes. 

This incident marks the first loss of an F-16 since these planes were delivered earlier this month. According to the Ukrainian military, the crash was not caused directly by enemy missile fire.  According to the Ukrainian Military statement,the pilot successfully intercepted three cruise missiles and one drone during Russia's most extensive aerial assault to date. 

The Ukrainian Air Force praised Oleksiy for saving lives, regrettably acknowledging that it came at the cost of his own. While details regarding the aircraft type were not specified, a military source confirmed that an F-16 was involved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially announced the deployment of these U.S.-made jets for the purpose of intercepting Russian drones and missiles and requested allies to allow the use of long-range missiles for extended strikes into Russian territory. 

Onno Eichelsheim confirmed that the Netherlands intends to supply Ukraine with 24 additional F-16s without restrictions on their usage, provided they adhere to humanitarian laws. Approximately 65 F-16s have been pledged by NATO nations since U.S. President Joe Biden authorized European allies to send them to Ukraine in August 2023. 

These jets will complement the limited Western-supplied surface-to-air missile systems already operational in the region, bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian aerial threats. The loss of this aircraft presents a setback for President Zelensky, who stated he will present a "victory plan" to President Biden next month and mentioned the successful recent test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile, though further details were not disclosed.

Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Moscow Region, Causing Casualties and Flight Disruptions

Ukraine carried out its most significant drone assault on the Moscow region on Tuesday, resulting in the death of at least one woman, extensive damage to numerous homes, and the diversion of around 50 flights from Moscow's airports.

As the world's largest nuclear power, Russia reported the destruction of at least 20 Ukrainian drones as they approached the Moscow area, which is home to over 21 million people, along with 124 more drones thwarted across eight other regions.

Authorities confirmed one fatality near Moscow, and three of the city's four airports were shut down for more than six hours due to the attack, leading to nearly 50 flight diversions. Meanwhile, Kyiv stated that overnight, Russia had launched an attack with 46 drones against Ukraine, with 38 of them reportedly intercepted.

The drone strikes resulted in damage to high-rise apartment buildings in the Ramenskoye district, igniting fires in residential units, as recounted by local residents. Governor Andrei Vorobyov of the Moscow region reported that a 46-year-old woman lost her life, with three additional individuals sustaining injuries in Ramenskoye.

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