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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How Russia is using Iran's secretive Shahed 'kamikaze' drones against Ukraine

Putin has turned to Iranian Shahed-131/136 drones to target Ukraine’s population, including its civilians. AirForces Monthly unveils more on the secretive aircraft

Russia still flies high-tempo combat ops over Syria as Ukraine War continues

While Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine’s sovereign territory in the West, the Russian Aerospace Forces are still supporting combat operations in the Middle East, with a variety of aircraft types noted as operating from Bassel Al-Assad AB in Khmeimim, Syria, in September

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Steadfast Noon – NATO’s nuclear air exercise in times of tension

NATO has been conducting its annual nuclear deterrence exercise called Steadfast Noon involving up to 60 aircraft from 14 countries

Hensoldt deliver high performance radars to Ukraine for air defence

Hensoldt, a company specialising in modern aviation sensors will be increasing Ukraine’s air defence capability with four of its high performance TRML-4D radars to augment the country’s Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T SLM air defence system

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The intense final French Transall deployment to assist Ukraine

The final French Air and Space Force Transall C-160G Gabriel capped off a 33-year flying career with an intense three-month deployment. Babak Taghvaee details the type’s last months

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How sophisticated is Russia's air defence network?

Fighter operations and ground-based air defences have so far proved to be among Russia’s few victories in its otherwise poorly planned and mismanaged campaign in Ukraine. AirForces Monthly explains

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Russia has lost more than 10% of its Su-34 Fullback fleet in Ukraine ops

After conducting independent research, Key.Aero can confirm that the Russian Aerospace Forces has now lost more than 10% of its Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber fleet in combat operations over Ukraine

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How is Ukraine's fearsome Su-25 Frogfoot fleet helping to turn the tide of the war?

Despite heavy losses of men and machines, the ageing Ukrainian Su-25s have heroically taken the fight to the Russians and helped turn the tide in the war, as AirForces Monthly explains

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Is Slovakia’s recently retired MiG-29 fleet destined for Ukraine?

Having recently bid farewell to its iconic fleet of MiG-29AS/UBS Fulcrum fighters after more than 30 years of operational service, Slovakia is now discussing how best to use the 11 decommissioned aircraft with its allies and a move to transfer them to Ukraine is definitely on the table

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Video shows Ukrainian MiG-29s firing AGM-88 HARMs in combat

Following reports in early August that Russian air defence positions in Ukraine were being engaged by what appeared to be AGM-88 HARMs, the US has officially confirmed that it recently transferred an undisclosed quantity of the weapon to the Ukrainian Air Force