Russian Air Force

Latest in Russian Air Force

Newly emerged video footage purportedly shows the destruction of a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber.
Sea

Russian Cruise Missile Strikes Ukrainian-Controlled Black Sea Drilling Platform

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 10, 2025

Su-35 shot down in ukraine
Air

Claims Swirl Around Russian Su-35S Flanker Shootdown

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 9, 2025

New satellite imagery and an official video has revealed more about the scale of destruction and damage inflicted on Russian airfields in Ukraine’s unprecedented covert drone attacks last weekend. Today, the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, which carried out the drone attacks, published previously unreleased drone footage showing the attacks underway.
Air

Confirmed Losses Of Russian Aircraft Mount After Ukrainian Drone Assault

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 4, 2025

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery that TWZ has exclusively obtained from ICEYE points to multiple Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers having been damaged or destroyed at Belaya Air Base.
Air

Latest On Russian Aircraft Loss Assessments From Ukrainian Drone Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

The future of Russia's bomber fleet after Ukraine's mass drone attack.
Air

What Ukraine’s Unprecedented Drone Attack Means For Russia’s Bomber Force

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 2, 2025

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claims it show down a Russian jet target drone converted to be a weapon.
Air

Weaponized Russian Jet-Powered Target Drone Shot Down Over Black Sea: Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2025

Russia is introducing new nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles as part of an overall expansion of its nuclear forces, according to an assessment from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA. While nuclear-armed air-to-air missiles were part of the Soviet Union’s armory during the Cold War, their current status within the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), is little-known, which makes the disclosure from this U.S. intelligence agency all the more intriguing.
Air

Russia Fielding New Nuclear-Armed Air-To-Air Missiles: U.S. Intel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 21, 2025

Russia has followed Ukraine’s lead in adapting the propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft as an ad-hoc drone-killer. The Yak-52B2 includes a sensor turret to help detect long-range one-way attack drones and has a shotgun mounted under the wing for shooting them down. While it appears that Ukrainian Yak-52s have had some success in the counter-drone role, the appearance of the Yak-52B2 provides more evidence of the pressure that Ukrainian drone strikes are placing on Russia’s traditional air defenses.
Air

Russia Testing Shotgun-Armed Yak-52 Trainer Aircraft To Down Ukrainian Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2025

Ukraine’s military intelligence service has released details of a new Russian cruise missile, the S8000 Banderol, which it claims makes extensive use of components sourced from foreign manufacturers, including in the United States. Unusually, the missile was apparently developed for launch from drones and has reportedly already been used in combat in the war in Ukraine.
Air

New Small Russian Cruise Missile Captured By Ukrainian Intelligence

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 12, 2025

Australia is pushing back on a report that Russia asked to base its long-range bombers at an Indonesian airbase.
Air

Australia Casts Doubt On Russia Basing Bombers At Indonesian Air Base

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 15, 2025

Very Close Encounter Between F-35 And Su-35 Caught On Cockpit Camera
Air

Very Close Encounter Between F-35 And Su-35 Caught On Cockpit Camera

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 4, 2025

Ukraine claims it destroyed two Ka-52 Hockum attack helicopters and two Mi-8 Hip transport helicopters in a missile attack in Belgorod.
Air

Ukraine Launched HIMARS Attack On Russian Helicopters In Belgorod

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

Ammo dump destroyed in Russia at Engles Air Base.
News & Features

Russian Bomber Base Suffered Major Damage To Munitions Area In Ukrainian Drone Attack

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 21, 2025

An apparent Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s Engels-2 Air Base in the Saratov region 300 miles from the Ukrainian border, according to available imagery. At this stage it’s unclear whether any Russian aircraft were damaged in the incident, although there are indications that the primary target was a weapons storage area. Long-range bombers flying from the base regularly attack Ukraine and the airfield, and other like it, have long been high-priority targets for Kyiv.
Air

Massive Explosion Rocks Key Bomber Base Deep Inside Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 20, 2025

Russia's airbase is Syria has been flooded with people trying to escape violence between warring factions.
News & Features

Russia’s Air Base In Syria Has Become Refuge From Fierce Sectarian Violence

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 10, 2025

A strategically important fuel farm supplying Russia's Engels Air Base was struck by Ukrainian drones.
News & Features

Ukraine Targets Strategic Bomber Fuel Supplies In Long-Range Strike On Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 8, 2025