Ukrainian Mirage 2000 squadron chief claims record five drones downed in one sortie
The commander of Ukraine's Mirage 2000 squadron, known as “T-Rex,” disclosed that his unit has shot down five Russian drones in a single flight.
Ukrainian air force pilot “T-Rex,” who heads the small fleet of Mirage 2000 fighters, spoke about his high-risk operations over Ukrainian airspace. He said Russian forces now dispatch dozens to hundreds of drones daily, along with missiles, forcing Ukrainian pilots to maintain a 24-hour readiness cycle. With fewer than ten pilots trained in France to fly the French-made jets, they alternate constantly, ensuring at least one aircraft can take off at a moment’s notice.
During a recent sortie, T-Rex’s unit managed to down five enemy drones, a personal and unit record. He emphasized the Mirage 2000’s decisive role in countering the latest generation of Russian unmanned craft. The interview marks the first time a Ukrainian Mirage pilot has spoken publicly to a foreign media outlet about these missions.
Why it matters
It shows how limited Ukrainian air assets are being stretched to counter Russia's massive drone attacks.
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