Russian Soldiers Rewarded $195,000 for Downing Ukrainian F-16 Jet

Twelve Russian soldiers involved in shooting down the first US F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine last month have been rewarded 15 million rubles ($195,000) by a Russian firm, Fores.

"Fores has delivered on its earlier promise to transfer 15 million rubles to members of the Russian Armed Forces for downing the first F-16 in the special military operation zone," the company said in a statement.

According to it, the award ceremony took place in a border area in the presence of commanders on May 29. "Twelve servicemen involved in downing the target received money and certificates," the company added.

The statement did not clarify how the soldiers were instrumental in bringing down the F-16 or when the incident took place.

However, on March 13, 2025, a Ukrainian F-16A/B aircraft went down over the Russian occupied parts of the country reportedly shot by a  missile from a S-400 air defense system or an R-37 missile from a Russian fighter jet. However Ukraine claims the aircraft came in the way of a Ukrainian air defense missile that was targeting the Russian jets.

Earlier, Fores Director General Sergey Shmotyev said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in December 2024 that his company would will pay a bonus of 15 million rubles for the first F-16 fighter jet that could be shot down in Ukraine.

Based in the Urals, Fores makes consumables for the oil industry. It has supported the Russian Army since the launch of the special military operation.

To date, the company has donated 237.7 million rubles ($3 million) toward the purchase of hardware, communications devices, jamming systems, thermal sights, medicines, and evacuation equipment, Tass reported.