“Just get in range and shoot”: Ukraine’s F-16s claim 4,700 drone kills

Ukraine’s F-16 squadron commander “Phantom” says the country’s F-16 fleet has shot down around 4,700 Russian one-way attack drones since entering service.

The total includes the downing of around 1,100 Russian drones in October alone.

Phantom disclosed the figures while speaking at the International Fighter Conference on 5 November.

The figure is understood to exclude interceptions by Ukraine’s limited fleet of ex-French Mirage 2000s and its remaining legacy Soviet fighters.

Phantom cautioned against Ukraine employing too many fighter jet types, suggesting just two: the F-16 and Gripen.

Ukraine is also purchasing the French Rafale, with training expected to start shortly. Its legacy fleet of MiG-29s, Su-24s, Su-27s, and Su-25s is expected to retire once Western jets are available in large enough numbers.

Ukraine F-16s relying on their autocannons to down drones

Phantom said Ukrainian pilots are relying heavily on the cannon as stocks of air-to-air missiles remain constrained.

Ukrainian pilots have previously praised the Mirage’s Matra R.550 Magic (Magic 2) short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile for use against drones and aerial threats.

F-16s are fitted with a M61A1 Vulcan, a six-barrel, 20mm rotary Gatling gun, and carry approximately 511 rounds. Among Western fighter jets, this is a large number of rounds.

Brilliant session on #Ukraine F-16 at @DefenceIQ #IFC26. F-16s have scored 4,700 OWA shoot downs mainly with the gun, and in October alone 1,100 shoot downs. "One pilot got a record 8 drones in one sortie using 400 rounds and brought back 100 rounds. A few days ago broke his record with 9 drones and brought back 80 rounds. One of the younger pilots just made holes in the sky and hit nothing, but with simulator training he then went and hit 5" – spox, adding, "The tactics are simple – just get in range and shoot the gun!"

— Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) November 5, 2026

The aviation journalist, Gareth Jennings, who attended the event, posted, “One pilot got a record eight drones in one sortie using 400 rounds and brought back 100 rounds. A few days ago, he broke his record with nine drones and brought back 80 rounds.”

He quoted Phantom as saying, “The tactics are simple – just get in range and shoot the gun!”

Phantom also described an anecdote of how simulator training helps a less experienced pilot to improve his targeting.

The younger pilot was just making “holes in the sky,” hitting nothing. Following simulator training, he hit five targets.

Massive logistical burdens of Ukrainian and Russian fighter jets

AGN has recently reported that intensive use of Ukraine’s F-16 fleet means the country is having a heavy maintenance burden. A large share of the fleet is reportedly grounded.

This is likely somewhat offset by Belgium soon to donate the first of its retiring F-16s, while Sweden is set to start transferring 16 of its legacy Gripen C/Ds in the coming months.

Recent reports suggest Poland is also ready to transfer two of the nine old remaining MiG-29s under discussion.

So during 3 years, between June 2022 and June 2025, at least 23 new aircraft were moved to storage ramp: 3x MiG-31, 6x Su-24, 4x Su-25, 1x Su-27, 8x Flanker type (of wich at least 4 are likely Su-35) and 1x Su-34. https://t.co/hj15k6aZ4P

— The Military Watch (@MarcinRogowsk14) February 16, 2026

This can create the illusion that Ukraine is uniquely in a worse position. The noted Russian milblogger and retired fighter pilot, Fighter-Bomber, recently noted that Russian fighter jets are flying “thousands” of flight hours annually, partly to counter Ukraine’s air force.

This is undoubtedly putting an enormous maintenance and logistical burden on Russia’s fleet.

It is likely causing even modern Su-34s and Su-30/35s to burn through their airframe flight hours. Satellite images appear to show a few such airframes stripped for parts and cannibalized.