In a remarkable display of skill and composure, Ukrainian soldier with the call sign Dubai from the Phoenix unit managed to shoot down russian Shahed drone using nothing more than a standard assault rifle.
The extraordinary incident took place in Donetsk region and was confirmed by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, which released video footage of the strike.
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According to the official report, the downing occurred during an enemy drone attack when the Shahed loitering munition flew unusually low, at about 150 meters above ground. The reduced altitude made it vulnerable to small-arms fire, offering a rare opportunity for ground troops to engage it directly.
Dubai, alongside two fellow soldiers, opened fire with their automatic rifles as the drone approached. While his comrades paused briefly to reload, Dubai continued shooting, and moments later, the Shahed exploded mid-air. The soldier's rounds had struck the drone's warhead or engine, causing a detonation powerful enough to confirm a direct hit.
"Three of us were firing, but when the others stopped to reload, I kept going. Suddenly, the Shahed exploded. That’s how we realized it was my burst that hit," Dubai recounted
As Defense Express previously reported, in a major deep-strike operation, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces destroyed russian storage and launch facility for the Shahed kamikaze drones in temporarily occupied Donetsk on the evening of November 5. The target was located within the territory of the former Donetsk International Airport.
Read more: Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Blow Up russian Shahed Drone Depot at Donetsk Airport
