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Russian Air Force

Latest in Russian Air Force

Engels shelters long-range aviation
Russian Air Force

Russia Is Building Huge Protective Shelters For Its Strategic Bombers

By Thomas Newdick

Posted 9 Hours Ago

Russia's Defence Ministry said the Tu-22M3 crashed while making an approach to land in the Irkutsk Region during what it described as a routine training flight.
Russian Air Force

Russian Tu-22M3 Swing-Wing Bomber Seen Plunging Into The Ground

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 15, 2026

A recent video out of Russia once again highlights the drastic efforts being taken to provide Moscow with additional air defense coverage against the threat of long-range Ukrainian drones. While we have seen examples of the Pantsir short-range air defense system installed on buildings in Moscow before now, the footage shows the counter-drone-optimized SMD-E variant being lifted on top of a skyscraper by helicopter.
Russian Air Force

New Counter-Drone Optimized Pantsir Air Defense System Being Deployed Atop Skyscrapers In Moscow

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2026

Su57 two seat model seen in first official images during its first flight.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s New Two-Seat Su-57 Felon Takes Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2026

Imagery has emerged that appears to show a previously unknown two-seat version of the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, Russia’s latest frontline fighter. Provided the available photo is legitimate, and there is nothing obvious to suggest otherwise, at this point, Russia would join China as the only other nation actively developing a two-seat fifth-generation fighter. While the exact role of China’s two-seat J-20 version remains the subject of debate, it is noteworthy that Russia’s use of dual-seat tactical jets is well-established, and that Sukhoi had previously drafted a two-seat Felon specifically for an Indian requirement.
Russian Air Force

Two-Seat Variant Of Russia’s Su-57 Felon Fighter Materializes

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 18, 2026

S-71
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Stealthy S-71K Air-Launched Missile Seen In New Detail

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

New Russian cruise missile is being used in Ukraine.
Russian Air Force

New Russian Air-Launched Cruise Missile Appears In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mil Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. One less-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Has Tiny Crew Compartment To Pick Up Downed Pilots

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

As both sides in the war in Ukraine continue their campaigns of long-range drone attacks, the Ukrainian government’s internal security agency has released a compilation of strikes directed against Russian airbases.
Russian Air Force

Ukrainian Drone Strikes On Parked Russian Aircraft Seen In “Greatest Hits” Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2026

The latest iteration of Russia’s Geran long-range one-way attack drone features a jet engine and is apparently being considered for launch from aircraft, to boost its range. The new drone, apparently first used at the beginning of this year, underlines Russia’s continued development of these drones, which bear the brunt of its relentless strikes on Ukraine, which ramp up during the winter months. It further points to Russia seeking to field drones that are better able to evade Ukraine’s air defenses, which are increasingly tailored to these kinds of threats.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s New Geran-5 Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Could Be Air-Launched

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

Two Russian Flanker series fighter jets have been damaged in an overnight arson attack on the military airfield at Lipetsk in the region of the same name in southwest Russia. According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), the raid was launched by “a representative of the resistance movement in Russia.” If that’s the case, it underscores the varied tactics being used to strike Russian military aircraft on their bases, coming soon after two separate drone attacks on Belbek Air Base in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russian Air Force

Sabotage Attack On Russian Su-30 Fighters Shown In Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

A key Russian airbase in occupied Crimea has been targeted by a Ukrainian drone strike. According to Ukraine, the drones hit a MiG-31BM Foxhound interceptor, as well as elements of an S-400 air defense system, at Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol.
Russian Air Force

MiG-31 Foxhound Among Russian Air Defense Assets Targeted In Crimean Drone Strike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

The Antonov An-22 (NATO reporting name 'Cock') in the air. The aircraft powered by four turboprops each driving a pair of contra-rotating propellers, the design remains the world's largest turboprop-powered aircraft. Several airframes are still in service with Russian Air Force.
Russian Air Force

There’s Likely No Way Back For Russia’s An-22 Turboprop Heavy Transports After Fatal Crash

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 9, 2025

Imagery has been published providing a rare look inside the weapons bays of one of the prototypes of Russia’s Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter. While internal weapons carriage is a key design feature of the Sukhoi jet, the main weapons bays, at least, haven’t been seen in such detail, with weapons loaded. The footage comes as Moscow embarks on another export drive for the Su-57, which has reportedly so far only been ordered by Algeria.
Russian Air Force

Su-57 Felon Brandishes Its Loaded Weapons Bays For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 10, 2025

We may well have seen the first evidence of a Russian glide bomb kit combined with a motor, providing these notorious weapons with a significant boost in range. The latest version of the weapon is reportedly designated UMPK-PD, in which the P suffix very likely denotes Dalniaya, for long range, and looks set to be another serious challenge for Ukraine’s air defenses.
Russian Air Force

Russia Is Now Launching Jet-Powered Glide Bombs At Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

Three Russian MiG-31 Foxhounds intruded into Estonian airspace.
Russian Air Force

Russian MiG-31s Busting Estonian Airspace Has Eastern Europe On Edge

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 19, 2025