A Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot with the call sign Denfix spoke about his combat work. He admits that he eliminates Russian Shahed strike aircraft at night, and works as a bomber during the day. Currently, the pilot's combat account includes more than two dozen destroyed cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
This is stated in a post on the Facebook page of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Denfix is a pilot of the tactical aviation brigade of the "West" Air Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His plane is a MiG-29 front-line fighter.
One of the pilot's tasks is to intercept and destroy Russian cruise missiles and attack drones.
"The enemy is constantly improving strike UAVs and increasing their number during night attacks. To repel the attacks, all available means are being used, anti-aircraft missile units, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare, and, if necessary, fighter aircraft," the report says.
The pilot himself talks about his work as follows:
"The Shaheds have already entered our airspace, and this meant that my combat sortie would be possible that night. I was already mentally prepared. Soon I received an order for combat work. I lifted the plane into the sky. Then I received information about the flight parameters of the target: speed, altitude, direction. It was a strike drone. I calculated everything carefully, went to the target, fixed it in the sight, and launched the missile. A few seconds later I saw an explosion in the air. There was a hit!".
It is admitted that shooting down a slow attack drone with the missile weapons of a high-speed fighter is not as easy as it seems.
"A second of joy, elation. Then you focus on the flight again, because the combat work is not yet completed. I received an order to intercept the next target. I saw another "shaheed" in the sights. The launch of the missile. A moment later, an explosion in the air. Again, joy for the result. Enemy UAVs will no longer cause harm on the ground, will not take anyone's life, will not destroy objects," the pilot says. "This thought gives me the most strength during constant duty and combat work."
The pilot already has over two dozen destroyed cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles on his combat account.
In addition, the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine clarifies: Ukrainian fighters have long been operating as bombers — against ground targets. Regarding this, the pilot says:
"It is remembered forever when you approach the contact line very close to drop precision bombs on enemy manpower and equipment. You work in a dangerous combat environment with high risk, because enemy fighters and anti-aircraft missile systems seek to detect and destroy you. But you work devotedly. Our will to defend our country is strong."
Previously, "Apostrophe" also wrote that Yuriy Ignat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, commented on a video with a story by a Ukrainian combat pilot of a Western F-16 fighter jet about the complexity of working on air and ground targets, serious danger, and successes.