Ukrainian pilot shoots down Russian drone over Rivne Oblast, video goes viral

A MiG-29 pilot destroyed a Russian attack drone in the skies over Rivne Oblast. Children watching from the ground witnessed the interception and reacted with excited cheers as the Russian UAV was shot down.

Source: Air Command Zakhid (West) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Details: Air Command West said the impressive shootdown was carried out by "Marcel", a fighter pilot from the 204th Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade.

Quote from the pilot: "The enemy drone was likely remotely controlled. The Shahed was manoeuvring, changing its altitude and direction of flight. This made my work more complicated.

The approach and attack had to be carried out at an extremely low altitude. I made a turn towards the target. I visually identified it. I launched the strike. I saw debris falling into the forest."

The pilot later learned that a video of the engagement had been posted online. He admitted to being pleased by the public reaction, especially the uplifting voices of the children shouting: "Yes! Good job!"

Marcel graduated from Kharkiv National Air Force University in 2022 and has been flying a MiG-29 for the past three years. He carries out combat missions across various fronts and has more than 10 destroyed Russian missiles and drones to his credit. He has also struck dozens of Russian ground targets.

Background: Earlier, it was reported that a former teacher shot down a Russian cruise missile using a portable Igla air defence system.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!