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.
Where will Ukraine's F-16s come from and how will pilots be trained?
Kyiv’s quest for Western-made fighters was handed a major boost of May 19, when US President Joe Biden backed international plans for Ukrainian Air Force pilots to be trained to fly the long-desired F-16 Fighting Falcon and for European operators of the multi-role fighter to transfer their ‘Vipers’ to Ukraine
First nine Croatian Mi-8 Hip helicopters head to Ukraine
With no official announcement or ceremony, nine ex-Croatian Air Force Mi-8 Hip tactical transport helicopters departed Zagreb Franjo Tudjman Airport at approximately 0600hrs (local time) on May 5, with various social media channels noting that the rotorcraft were heading to an unknown destination ahead of their final delivery to Ukraine
Ukraine restores ex-North Macedonian Su-25 to help fight Russia
Images of Ukrainian-operated Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack jets carrying two fuel tanks and four five-tube B-13L rocket pods that appeared on social media on May 10 have confirmed that Ukraine has managed to restore at least one of the four Su-25s that North Macedonia donated to Kyiv in 2022 to an airworthy, combat-capable condition
Why the UK’s Storm Shadow missile will be a game-changer for Ukraine
The UK government announced on May 11 that it has donated an unspecified number of conventionally armed Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles to Ukraine, with the combat-proven, advanced long-range deep strike weapon believed to be the longest-range stand-off missile to be delivered to the war-torn nation since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022
The fate of Ukraine's Il-76TD ‘Candid’ fleet revealed
Babak Taghvaee takes a look at the fate of the Ukraine Air Force Il-76TD ‘Candid’ fleet, and the effects of the Russian Invasion
Could Ukraine be given a fourth ex-Royal Navy Sea King?
Another former Royal Navy Westland Sea King could be heading to Ukraine, making it the fourth example of the type to be donated to the war-torn nation by the UK
Just how powerful is Russia's strategic bomber force?
Alexander Mladenov examines the current state, operations and inventory of Russia’s long-range bomber fleet which has been undergoing upgrades while also seeing active service in Ukraine
How Ukraine International Airlines is battling for survival
The aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines have become symbols of the country’s defiance by continuing to fly in exile following Russia’s 2022 invasion. Babak Taghvaee reports
Could surplus F-16s take fight to Russia?
Could former Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM/BMs provide an interim solution for Bulgaria and mean more MiGs for Ukraine? Babak Taghvaee reports
USAF operates RQ-170 stealth drone over Black Sea
Nine flights have been carried out over the Black Sea by USAF-operated Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel low observable (or stealth) unmanned aerial vehicles, according to a batch of secret US military documents posted online