Ukrainian F-16s have downed 4,700 Russian drones, including 1,100 in October, commander says
Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets have shot down approximately 4,700 Russian one-way attack drones, including 1,100 in October alone, according to a Ukrainian squadron commander known by the callsign Phantom.
Speaking at the International Fighter Conference in Munich on November 5, Phantom said Ukrainian pilots rely primarily on their aircraft's built-in guns to intercept Russian drones, according to aviation journalists Gareth Jennings and Craig Hoyle, who attended the event.
One Ukrainian pilot recently set a record by shooting down nine drones during a single combat sortie, breaking his own previous record of eight.
"One pilot got a record eight drones in one sortie using 400 rounds and brought back 100 rounds," Phantom said, as quoted by Jennings. "A few days ago [he] broke his record with nine drones and brought back 80 rounds."
The commander also described how simulator training helped a less experienced pilot improve his performance.
"One of the younger pilots just made holes in the sky and hit nothing, but with simulator training he then went and hit five," Phantom said.
Describing the interception tactics, he added: "The tactics are simple — just get in range and shoot the gun!"
Why Ukrainian F-16s rely on guns
Ukraine's F-16s have increasingly relied on their M61A1 Vulcan cannons to intercept Russian drones amid shortages of air-to-air missiles.
Using a fighter jet's gun against aerial targets carries risks, however, particularly when engaging drones at close range.
In May 2025, Ukraine's Air Force reported an incident in which an F-16 pilot who had used the aircraft's gun was forced to eject.
Phantom also identified maintaining the operational readiness of Ukraine's fighter fleet as a major challenge.
He cautioned against introducing too many different aircraft types, including French-made Rafale fighters, because of the additional demands involved in operating and maintaining them.
"We proposed to our leadership to limit ourselves to no more than two aircraft types: F-16, which I believe is the best option, and Gripen, for which we have already signed a contract," he said.
The figures presented by Phantom reflect the Ukrainian commander's account of the squadron's operations and have not been independently verified.
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