Reports have surfaced suggesting that Ukrainian forces have shot down a Moscow fighter jet, according to military bloggers closely tied to Russian air force circles. One source claimed the Sukhoi Su-34 aircraft was downed by a Western-supplied F-16 jet. These accounts, however, remain unverified, and Newsweek has reached out to the defense ministries of both Russia and Ukraine for comments on these speculations, which have ignited widespread discussion on social media.

A post from the Telegram channel Fighterbomber seemed to serve as a tribute to the lost Su-34 fighter jet. Accompanying an image of the medium-range supersonic fighter bomber, a message read, "the earth is the sky, brothers," suggesting a significant loss for Russia’s aviation in the ongoing conflict.

Further details were added by the pro-Moscow Telegram channel VDV for Honesty and Justice, which urgently reported that the Su-34 had been shot down and the crew was killed. The channel suggested that the jet was downed by an F-16 and that this incident occurred approximately 50 kilometers from the front line during an air bomb deployment. They provided no source for this information and raised concerns about future losses, warning, "Soon there will be more such losses. NATO has sent F-16s out to hunt, and as a result, our infantry losses will increase."

Ukraine received its first batch of U.S.-made fourth-generation F-16 jets in August, following President Joe Biden's approval for their provision through third parties. Countries like Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark have pledged more than 85 F-16 jets to enhance Ukraine’s air power against its Soviet-era aircraft.

Pro-Ukrainian social media users were quick to comment on these unverified claims. NOEL reports posted about Russian channels asserting that an F-16 had shot down the Russian fighter jet. Jürgen Nauditt emphasized the significance, stating, "F-16 shoots down Russian SU-34. That's exactly what the F-16s are in Ukraine for. So far only Russian sources have confirmed this-we're waiting." Journalist Euan MacDonald also weighed in, calling it "excellent news if true." Jay in Kyiv added a cultural touch with an image of Tom Cruise from the film Top Gun, highlighting the symbolic victory of an F-16 taking down the expensive Russian jet.

Back in May, Ukraine's Defense Ministry claimed it had "destroyed" nine Russian jets, and in February, it reported downing 10 Moscow military aircraft over 10 days.