Russian Air Force

Latest in Russian Air Force

Chinese H-6-series aircraft have flown off the coast of Alaska for what appears to be the first time in an important show of force along with Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.

Chinese H-6 Missile Carrier Jets Appear For The First Time Off Alaska (Updated) Chinese H-6 Missile Carrier Jets Appear For The First Time Off Alaska (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Jul 24 9:34 PM EDT

Russia has, for the first time, published footage showing what it says is the carriage and launch of the guided, glide version of its huge FAB-3000 aerial bomb — a weapon that weighs over 6,600 pounds in its basic version. The weapon is among the more recently announced additions to the family of UMPK munitions, which add a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package to a range of existing freefall weapons, as you can read more about here.

Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Jul 15 1:46 PM EDT

A claim has emerged that Russia has begun using 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) class FAB-3000 M54 bombs with pop-out wing kits against targets in Ukraine.

Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine? Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine?

By Joseph Trevithick

Jun 20 9:26 PM EDT

These before and after satellite images from Planet labs shows that Russian Su-34 Fullbacks may have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack.

Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base

By Howard Altman

Jun 14 2:47 PM EDT

Russia said its troops had started the second stage of drills to practise the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons alongside Belarusian troops after what Moscow said were threats from western powers. The ministry said the drills were aimed at ensuring that the two countries’ military personnel and equipment were ready to protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Resumes Tactical Nuke Drills Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Resumes Tactical Nuke Drills

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 11 5:39 PM EDT

SU-57 satellite photo attack imagery

Su-57 Felon Targeted In Ukraine Strike Seen In New Higher-Resolution Satellite Images Su-57 Felon Targeted In Ukraine Strike Seen In New Higher-Resolution Satellite Images

By Howard Altman

Jun 10 2:39 PM EDT

Both Ukrainian and Russian sources say an Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter was struck for the first time.

Su-57 Felon Struck Deep Inside Russia, Ukraine’s Spy Agency Claims (Updated) Su-57 Felon Struck Deep Inside Russia, Ukraine’s Spy Agency Claims (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Jun 9 3:50 PM EDT

Soviet-era An-22 landing

Russia’s An-22, The Biggest Turboprop Plane Ever Flown, Heads For Retirement Russia’s An-22, The Biggest Turboprop Plane Ever Flown, Heads For Retirement

By Thomas Newdick

Jun 6 2:40 PM EDT

Su-34 launches new glide bombs

Russia’s Small Diameter Bomb-Like Weapon Seen In Action For The First Time Russia’s Small Diameter Bomb-Like Weapon Seen In Action For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

May 23 6:35 PM EDT

The War Zone has now obtained additional high-resolution imagery better showing the extent of the destruction at Russia's Belbek Air Base from recent Ukrainian strikes.

MiG-31 Foxhounds Confirmed Destroyed In New Imagery Of Belbek Air Base MiG-31 Foxhounds Confirmed Destroyed In New Imagery Of Belbek Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick

May 16 8:25 PM EDT

Recent imagery provides our best views so far of Russia’s modern Kh-38M air-to-ground missile, apparently employed in the war in Ukraine. Previously, various videos had been released showing airstrikes that purportedly involved Kh-38Ms, but new photos show, in some detail, the missile carried under the wing of Su-34 Fullback strike fighters, seemingly taking part in combat sorties.

Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

May 14 1:07 PM EDT

KH-101s are now being fired at Ukraine with two warheads onboard.

Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

May 8 7:23 PM EDT

Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack

Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack

By Thomas Newdick

Apr 19 6:14 PM EDT

Ukraine has claimed that it shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber that crashed today in the Stavropol region in southern Russia. If that’s the case, it would be an unprecedented event, with Ukraine never having previously destroyed a Tu-22M3 — or any other Russian long-range bomber — in the air.

Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Shot Down With S-200 Missile: Ukraine’s Spy Chief Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Shot Down With S-200 Missile: Ukraine’s Spy Chief

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Apr 19 11:31 AM EDT

No Major Damage Seen At Russian Air Base After Drone Attack

No Major Damage Seen At Russian Air Base After Drone Attack No Major Damage Seen At Russian Air Base After Drone Attack

By Tyler Rogoway

Apr 6 4:06 PM EDT

Cold War-era Ladoga APV pictured by a FPV drone

Ultra-Rare Russian Armored VIP Escape Vehicle Spotted In Ukraine Ultra-Rare Russian Armored VIP Escape Vehicle Spotted In Ukraine

By Oliver Parken

Mar 27 8:27 PM EDT