Russian firm rewards 12 soldiers with around $200,000 each for downing Ukraine's three F-16

Twelve Russian soldiers have been awarded 15 million rubles (approximately $195,000) each by Russian oil equipment firm Fores for their alleged role in shooting down a US-made F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine, the first of its kind reportedly brought down in the conflict, New York Post reported.

The award ceremony was held on May 29 near the Russian-Ukrainian border in the presence of military commanders, the company said in a statement. “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 statement read.

Fores did not specify how or when the aircraft was brought down, but media reports have linked the incident to the crash of a Ukrainian F-16A/B on March 13, 2025, over Russian-occupied territory. While Russian sources claim the jet was downed by an S-400 air defence system or an R-37 missile fired by a Russian fighter, Ukraine has said the aircraft may have been accidentally hit by one of its own air defence missiles during an attempt to intercept Russian jets.

The cash reward had been promised months earlier by Fores Director General Sergey Shmotyev, who announced it at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in December 2024.He said his company would pay 15 million rubles to Russian troops for the first confirmed F-16 shootdown. “Payment for the downed F-16 is our contribution to those risking their lives for the Motherland’s security,” Shmotyev told TASS.

Fores, based in the Urals and primarily manufacturing consumables for the oil industry, has supported the Russian military throughout the war. To date, it has donated over 237 million rubles (around $3 million) for military equipment and supplies including communication devices, thermal sights, and medical kits.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has confirmed the loss of three F-16s since receiving them from Western allies—first in August 2024, then in April 2025, and most recently on May 16. All losses have officially been attributed to technical malfunctions or emergencies, not enemy fire. In the latest incident, Ukraine said the pilot safely ejected after steering the jet away from a civilian area. However, speculation continues about possible Russian missile involvement or friendly fire in at least two of the cases.