They Took the Sky: How Ukrainian Pilots Defied the Impossible

Source: Author’s Facebook page

Yesterday will undoubtedly go down in the history of the Russian–Ukrainian war. On December 23, Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, 34 of which were intercepted and destroyed. A 97 per cent interception rate is an exceptionally high result for a large-scale missile attack—and a clear indicator of a turning point in the air war.

Here is what is known from open sources.

The attack unfolded in several waves during the night and the pre-dawn hours. The enemy’s primary targets were critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine’s central and western regions.

It has been confirmed that F-16 units were deployed to intercept targets in areas where ground-based air-defence systems—such as Patriot—had limited coverage or required reinforcement. In their designated sectors, the aircraft performed with exceptional effectiveness.

Yet the key point is not merely the number of missiles intercepted—impressive as those figures are. What truly matters is the demonstrated efficiency of integrating F-16s into Ukraine’s overall air-defence architecture.

This effectively puts to rest the sceptics’ doubts about whether F-16 aircraft can intercept cruise missiles under real combat conditions in Ukraine.

For a long time, sceptics questioned whether Ukrainian pilots and the supporting infrastructure could achieve results comparable to those of ground-based systems such as the Patriot. The latest operation has settled the debate once and for all.

December 23 provided a decisive demonstration. Fighters enabled coverage of areas where rapidly deploying ground-based systems would have been difficult.

Military analysts identify three key factors that ensured success in the aircraft sectors of responsibility:

1. Ukrainian F-16s began operating as part of a unified digital network with NATO AWACS aircraft (patrolling the airspace of neighbouring countries) and ground-based radars. Pilots were able to detect targets long before they entered the range of their own systems.

2. The use of the latest air-to-air missiles made it possible to intercept and neutralise incoming missiles at long distances, preventing them from reaching cities.

       3. The aircraft’s ability to rapidly redeploy between regions enabled them to intercept missiles that changed course, a feat that stationary systems struggle to achieve.

The cost of an air-to-air missile is often lower than that of a Patriot missile, making such interceptions more cost-effective.

The Air Force Command emphasises that although shooting down 34 out of 35 missiles is phenomenal, it is not a miracle — rather, it is the result of complex training and preparation by pilots over the past two years.

If only we had received more active support with aircraft and other essential equipment! If only we were not tied hand and foot!  And only the assistance had been aimed at helping us defend the country, not merely to survive, but to put an end to Russian terror!

High efficiency on a single day does not guarantee freedom from threats in the future. The enemy’s tactics are constantly evolving. Yes, they adapt quickly and still possess substantial resources.

But December 23 remains the day when the sky became ours. Gratitude and respect to those who made it possible.

Let us recall that on the night of December 22–23 (starting at 6:00 PM on December 22), the enemy launched a coordinated attack on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, employing both unmanned attack systems and various types of missiles — air- and ground-launched.

Let us remind you that on the night of December 22-23 (starting at 6:00 PM on December 22), the enemy carried out a combined attack on critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, using both unmanned attack systems and missiles of various types – air- and ground-based.

The attack was repelled by Air Force units: aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare complexes and unmanned systems, as well as mobile fire groups of the Defence Forces. Air defence shot down/suppressed 621 air targets :
– 587 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera types (drones of other types);
– 34 Kh-101, Iskander-K cruise missiles.

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