Despite using a wide variety of fighter aircraft throughout the five-month conflict, neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian air forces have established a tactical advantage in the air. According to Insider, Russia and Ukraine have a lot of fighters in common. This is the fundamental factor behind why neither side has improved their position in the air.
Photo: Insider
The MiG-29 was the Ukrainian air force’s primary fighter before the war was declared in February. Although fewer than the Sukhoi family fighters, Russia also has a fleet of MiG-29 aircraft.
The MiG-29 was created as a counterweight to the US F-15 and F-16 fighters and is intended for close-quarters air combat rather than long-range missile attacks. This fighter can travel at a top speed of more than 400 km/h, has a ceiling of fewer than 18,000 meters, a 30mm machine gun, and a bomb loadout capacity of 3,600 kilograms.
The Su-27 is a fighter that both the Russian and Ukrainian air forces possess, in addition to the MiG-29. Additionally, different names like Su-24 and Su-25 are also employed. With the exception of the Su-27’s bigger payload, the MiG-29 and Su-27’s combat abilities are essentially pretty identical.
Additionally, Russia provided Ukraine with more advanced fighters, the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35, all of which were built on the Su-27 chassis. Notably, Russian defence officials stated that Ukraine’s air defence systems were also destroyed using the fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-57. However, this knowledge is not supported by any hard evidence.
Photo: Insider
Without unmanned aerial vehicles, the sky of Ukraine would not be complete (UAVs). The Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone, which has restricted attack capabilities, is the one that the Russian Air Force now uses the most. The Kronshtadt Orion, a UAV with greater size and range, is placed next to it.
Ukraine is demonstrating its superiority in the field of UAVs. The R-18 and other domestic UAVs, as well as the Phoenix Ghost suicide UAV from the US and the Bayraktar TB2 “killer” from Turkey, have all demonstrated their raiding prowess. However, Ukrainian UAVs are becoming less efficient over time.
The display of warplanes in Ukraine
According to statistics, the Ukrainian Air Force had 37 MiG-29s, 34 Su-27s, 31 Su-25s, and 14 Su-24s before hostilities started in February.
Photo: Insider
The Hostomel airport was protected by MiG-29 and Su-24 aircraft, while the Su-27 mostly carried out protection flights around Kyiv and, if necessary, took part in missile interception. set. A Russian Su-35 was allegedly shot down by a Ukrainian MiG-29, according to recent reports. Campaigns on Snake Island were conducted while Su-24 and Su-25 were utilized.
Photo: Insider
Ukraine suffered losses of 11 MiG-29s, 11 Su-24s, 4 Su-27s, 8 Su-25s, and an unidentifiable fighter plane. They also lost the majority of their Bayraktar TB2 UAVs. However, due to assistance from NATO that enables the nation’s air force to repair damaged fighters and then return them to the skies, Ukraine is thought to have more fighters than in February.
The Su-25 is the most widely used fighter on the Russian side because it can fly at low altitudes. According to reports, Russia also lost 4 Su-30s, 11 Su-34s, 1 Su-35, and 3 unidentifiable aircraft in addition to 16 Su-25s. According to reports, 50 UAVs of different types were lost in Russia.
