Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Caine said that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet recently shot down a Russian fighter aircraft in the first known air-to-air victory by the aircraft in Ukrainian service.

According to Ukrinform, Caine made the remarks during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, July 21.

General John Caine said that a Ukrainian F-16 had recently shot down a Russian fighter aircraft in an air-to-air engagement. He added that he believed Ukraine had significantly strengthened its layered air defense system over the past few years with the support of many partners.

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Caine also praised the remarkable performance of Ukraine's defense industry. He said that Ukraine was expanding its military capabilities, ranging from surface-to-air systems to air-to-air capabilities.