Ukrainian ace takes down Russian drone in rare daylight strike
The Ukrainian air force has released a unique video showing the moment a Russian Shahed-136 drone was shot down by a MiG-29 fighter pilot.
The incident occurred during one of the morning air defense missions over the occupied country. According to information released by the Ukrainian command, the remarkable feat was accomplished by a pilot with the pseudonym Denfix. This time, the Russian drone was shot down during a rare daytime attack, while Russian forces usually deploy the Shaheds at night.
Shooting down a drone over Ukraine in broad daylight
"Unlike nighttime operations, I had a clear visual on the target through the sight. It was easier to detect and engage the drone in daylight conditions," said Denfix, quoted in an official statement from the Ukrainian air force.
It was noted that since the beginning of his service, Denfix has managed to intercept over 20 airborne targets, including cruise missiles and drones. Ukrainians emphasized that air defense operations include various systems. These usually involve missiles from ground-based anti-aircraft systems, mobile fire groups, or electronic warfare teams. Fighter jets, however, are also used for this purpose whenever necessary.
Valuable Ukrainian fighter jets
Besides the MiG-29, the Ukrainian air force also uses fighter jets provided by the West, 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 front-line fighter whose production began in 1983, but it still proves to be a formidable force, as evidenced by its presence in the air forces of Kyiv and Moscow. The machine is powered by two Klimov RD-33 engines, allowing it to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 1,500 mph. The basic armament includes a GSz-30-1 aircraft cannon with a 30 mm caliber, but the MiG-29 can also carry an additional arsenal weighing up to 12,100 lbs.
The shot-down Shahed-136 is a drone measuring about 11 feet in length, capable of reaching speeds of 115 mph and carrying a warhead weighing approximately 88 lbs. It is an Iranian design delivered to Russia on a mass scale since the start of the war in Ukraine.
