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Ukrainian Mirage 2000 Fighter Downs Russian Banderol With 30mm Cannon to Preserve MICA Missiles
A Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F reportedly destroyed a Russian S-8000 Banderol cruise missile with its internal 30 mm cannon during an air-defense mission. French Aid to Europe reported the engagement on October 1, 2026, followed by Ukrainian reporting, describing the first known cannon interception of this missile by a Western fighter. The French-supplied Mirage carries two DEFA 554 cannons alongside MICA infrared and radar-guided missiles, offering alternative weapons for different interception conditions. Cannon use can preserve missile stocks when the aircraft is suitably positioned, while the turbojet-powered Banderol presents a faster target than many one-way attack drones.