Ukrainian MiG‑29 downs Russian Shahed drone in daylight operation
Ukrainian air forces have released a remarkable recording. It shows the moment a Russian Shahed-136 drone was shot down by a MiG-29 fighter pilot.
The incident occurred during a morning air defence mission over the occupied country. According to information revealed by the Ukrainian command, the feat was accomplished by a pilot with the pseudonym Denfix. It was noted that this time, the Russian drone was shot down during a rare daytime attack, whereas usually, Russian forces deploy the Shaheds at night.
Drone shot down over Ukraine in broad daylight
"Unlike nighttime operations, I had a clear visual on the target through the sight," said Denfix, quoted in an official statement by the Ukrainian air forces. "It was easier to detect and engage the drone in daylight conditions."
It was added that since the start of his service, Denfix has managed to intercept over 20 aerial targets, including cruise missiles and drones. Ukrainians emphasized that air defence operations involve diverse systems. Typically, these include missiles from ground-based air defence systems, mobile fire groups, or electronic warfare units. However, fighter jets are also utilized for this purpose when necessary.
Valuable Ukrainian fighter jets
Alongside the MiG-29, the Ukrainian air force also uses Western-supplied fighter jets, such as the F-16 and French Mirage-2000, to shoot down Russian missiles and drones.
In this case, the pilot at the controls of the MiG-29 fighter jet used a short-range R-73 missile. The MiG-29 itself is a frontline fighter, production of which began in 1983, yet it still proves to be a real force, as evidenced by its presence in the aviation fleets of Kyiv and Moscow. The aircraft is powered by two Klimov RD-33 engines, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of approximately 3,904 km/h. Its basic armament includes the GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon with a calibre of 30 mm, but the MiG-29 can also carry an additional arsenal weighing up to 5,500 kg.
The shot-down Shahed-136 is a drone measuring approximately 3.5 metres in length, capable of reaching speeds of 185 km/h and carrying a warhead weighing about 40 kg. This is a design stemming from Iran, supplied to Russia on a large scale since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
