A video has surfaced online and quickly gone viral on social media, capturing a dramatic moment in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The footage shows a dark shadow moving through the sky, accompanied by the low hum of a jet engine. Suddenly, a cannon-like sound is heard, followed by a bright ball of fire appearing in the sky—this is where a Russian drone was reportedly destroyed. The sound of the impact is heard a few seconds later, a common effect of the delay between the explosion and the sound reaching the viewer. These kinds of videos have become increasingly common since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as they document the intense air defense operations conducted by Ukrainian forces against the continuous barrage of Russian projectiles, including drones, rockets, and missiles. This particular video is notable because it is believed to show a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet using its onboard cannon to shoot down a Russian Gueran-5 drone. The F-16 is equipped with a powerful 20 mm rotary cannon, the M61A1 Vulcan, which is mounted on the side of the aircraft. The cannon’s distinctive sound can be heard in the video, confirming the method of destruction. This is not the first time such a scene has been recorded—earlier in the year, another video showed an F-16 using its cannon to destroy a similar Russian drone, marking a significant moment in the war as it demonstrated the effectiveness of this tactic. What has changed in recent months is the frequency of these cannon shots. Ukrainian forces are increasingly relying on the cannon instead of missiles or other interceptors. This shift suggests that missile supplies are running low. Missiles are expensive and take time to produce, and as the conflict has dragged on, Ukraine has faced growing shortages. According to a report by the Royal United Services Institute, Ukrainian F-16s have destroyed over 2,500 Russian drones, including the Gueran-5, since the war began. While some of these were taken down with advanced missiles, the increasing use of the cannon indicates a strategic shift due to limited resources. The Gueran-5 drone has become a particularly challenging target for Ukrainian air defenses. It is a jet-powered drone capable of reaching speeds up to 600 km/h, making it much faster and more maneuverable than earlier models like the Shahed, which used a simple propeller. The Gueran-5 can fly over 1,000 kilometers with a 90 kg payload, making it a long-range, high-speed threat. As a result, Russian forces have increasingly used these drones in massive waves, overwhelming Ukrainian defenses. This has forced Ukrainian pilots to use the cannon more often, despite the risks involved. While the cannon allows for nearly unlimited ammunition at a lower cost, it requires the pilot to get dangerously close to the drone, increasing the chance of being hit by debris or enemy countermeasures. This shift highlights the growing strain on Ukrainian air defenses and the urgent need for more advanced weapons.