Ukrainian ace shoots down Russian drone in daylight raid
The Ukrainian air force has released a remarkable recording, capturing the moment a Russian Shahed-136 drone was shot down by a MiG-29 fighter pilot.
The incident took place during a morning air defence mission over the occupied territory. According to information provided by the Ukrainian command, the feat was accomplished by a pilot known by the pseudonym Denfix. It was noted that, on this occasion, the Russian drone was downed during a rare daytime attack, as Russian forces typically 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, as quoted in an official statement by the Ukrainian air force. "It was easier to detect and engage the drone in daylight conditions."
It was also mentioned that, since the start of his service, Denfix has managed to intercept over 20 aerial targets, including cruise missiles and drones. The Ukrainians emphasised that air defence operations use a variety of systems. Typically, these include missiles from ground-based air defence systems, mobile fire groups, or electronic warfare units. However, fighter jets are also deployed for this purpose when necessary.
Valuable Ukrainian fighter jets
In addition to the MiG-29, the Ukrainian air force utilises Western-supplied fighter jets, such as the F-16 and French Mirage-2000, to intercept Russian missiles and drones.
In this instance, the pilot controlling the MiG-29 fighter jet employed a short-range R-73 missile. The MiG-29 itself is a frontline fighter, with production beginning in 1983, yet it still proves to be a formidable force, as evidenced by its presence in the aviation fleets of Kyiv and Moscow. The aircraft is powered by two Klimov RD-33 engines, enabling it to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 2.3 Mach (over 1,491 mph). 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 5.5 tonnes.
The downed Shahed-136 is a drone measuring approximately 3.5 metres in length, capable of reaching speeds of 115 mph and carrying a warhead weighing around 88 pounds. This design originates from Iran and has been supplied to Russia on a large scale since the onset of the war in Ukraine.
