‘You Fire and Watch It Explode’ – MiG-29 Pilot on Hunting Russian Drones

MiG-29 pilot Denfix, from the tactical aviation brigade of the Air Command “West,” shared insights into how he intercepts and destroys Russian cruise missiles and attack drones.

The Air Force Command published a short interview with him on Facebook, captioning it:

“His plane is a MiG-29 frontline fighter. One of his tasks is to intercept and destroy Russian cruise missiles and strike drones.”

The Air Force emphasized that Russian forces are constantly improving their strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and increasing their numbers in nighttime attacks.

To counter these threats, all available defenses are deployed, including anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare systems, and, when needed, fighter aircraft.

Hunting the Shaheds

In the interview, Denfix described his experience shooting down Shahed drones.

“I received an order for combat work. I took off and was given the target’s flight parameters - speed, altitude, direction. It was a strike drone,” he recalled.

Carefully calculating his approach, he locked onto the target and fired.

“A few seconds later, I saw an explosion in the air. There was a hit! Shooting down a slow-moving strike drone with the missile armament of a high-speed fighter jet isn’t as easy as it seems,” Denfix said.

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He described the intense emotions of the moment.

“A moment of joy, elation. Then you focus on the flight again, because the combat mission isn’t over yet,” he said.

Soon, he received another order – another Shahed in his sights.

“I launched the missile. A moment later – an explosion in the air. Again, joy at the result. That UAV will no longer cause harm on the ground, won’t take any lives, won’t destroy any facilities,” he said.

“That thought gives me the most strength during constant duty and combat work,” he added.

Denfix has taken down more than two dozen enemy cruise missiles and UAVs, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed.

Fighter jets turned bombers

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukrainian fighter pilots have long adapted to a dual role – acting as bombers against ground targets.

Denfix described the nerve-wracking moments of approaching the front lines to drop high-precision bombs on concentrations of Russian troops and equipment.

“You operate in a dangerous combat environment with high risk because enemy fighters and anti-aircraft missile systems are actively trying to detect and destroy you,” he said.

“But you work devotedly. Our will to defend our country is strong,” he added.

Last week, Ukraine’s Air Force released its first-ever interview with an F-16 pilot, who praised the jet’s performance and dismissed claims of intel issues, saying, “We receive up-to-date information.”

The pilot said that over 80% of launched missiles hit their targets, destroying Shahed drones and cruise missiles.

However, so far, F-16s can’t get close enough to Kremlin bombers dropping guided aerial munitions from Russian airspace.

“Our main focus is countering Russian guided bombs. Not all areas are covered, but we’re working on it,” he said, citing electronic warfare efforts and the need for more Western air defense systems.

Despite challenges, Ukraine’s defense forces are “working incredibly hard” to counter Russian air threats, he said.