How much is taking down an American fighter jet worth?
In Russia, apparently about $190,000.
That’s how much a Russian company, Fores—yes, a fracking components supplier—just handed out to a dozen soldiers.
They allegedly destroyed U.S.-made F-16s in Ukraine.
The cash awards, totaling 15 million rubles, were presented near the Ukrainian border, with the soldiers’ faces blurred in official photos.
What’s The Claim?
The Yekaterinburg-based firm claims to be the first Russian company offering bounties for wiping out Western military gear.
Since 2023, it’s paid out over 52 million rubles (around $665,000) for the destruction of U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks, German Leopard 2s, and now—F-16s.
Ukraine, after years of lobbying, received its first F-16s in 2024.
But the jets have already suffered losses, including crashes during Russian attacks that killed pilots.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has been quick to claim credit.
CEO Sergei Shmotiyev rolled out the bounty program as a patriotic incentive.
But critics might call it a PR stunt wrapped in a wartime bonus.
