Ukraine Russia Conflict

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine involves the build-up and deployment of NATO air forces - including the US Air Force - across Eastern Europe. The combined experts of AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft Journal and Key.Aero offer analysis on NATO and Ukrainian aircraft movements; Russian and Ukrainian air defences and ongoing operations in the region.

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NATO E-3A to monitor Russian air activity from Romania

NATO has deployed a single Boeing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to the 90th Airlift Base in Otopeni, Romania, from which it will conduct operations to monitor Russian military activity

Friendly fire downs former Ukrainian Falcons MiG-29 display jet

A Ukrainian Air Force-operated MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter painted in the colours of the air arm's long-disbanded 'Ukrainian Falcons' aerobatic team has been shot down in a friendly fire incident, resulting in the death of its pilot

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Russia’s disruptive air power in Ukraine

Russia has taken the use of disruptive airpower to new heights in Ukraine. Fahad ibne Masood assesses the impact of technological warfare

UK MOD claims Russia has been using Su-57 in Ukraine conflict

The UK Ministry of Defence has claimed that the Russian Aerospace Forces have “almost certainly” been using fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 multi-role fighters in combat missions against Ukraine for at least seven months

Germany to send Patriot air defence battery to Ukraine

Following last month’s announcement that the US government would supply a Patriot air defence battery to Ukraine, the White House revealed on January 5 that Germany will also donate one of its own systems to the war-torn country

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Talking to the Canadian CC-130 crews delivering aid to Ukraine

The Royal Canadian Air Force at Prestwick, Scotland, is distributing hundreds of tons of cargo to Ukraine and the Middle East. Combat Aircraft Journal recently caught up with the team

US to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US has announced that it is sending the Patriot missile system to Ukraine to counter Russian cruise missile and kamikaze drone strikes

Could Putin arm Belarusian jets with nuclear weapons?

Fears that the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence Forces could become nuclear capable have been raised after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that its jets were being converted to carry “special warheads”

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Russian fleet migration continues

More than 200 aircraft have now been transferred from the Bermudan register as airlines in Russia continue their efforts to circumnavigate international sanctions.

Poland, France take over NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania

Having concluded its latest NATO Baltic Air Policing rotation to Šiauliai Air Base, the last of the Hungarian Air Force JAS 39C Gripens departed the Lithuanian base after being replaced by a detachment of French Air and Space Force-operated Rafales on December 1