The recent developments in Ukraine's air force indicate significant advancements and strategic gains in 2026. The Ukrainian Defense Forces executed a large-scale operation in Zaporizhzhia, effectively neutralizing enemy S-300 systems and UAV command posts. This showcases the coordinated efforts involving the National Guard’s Lasar’s Group and the Air Force. Enhanced modernization efforts are underway to upgrade combat aviation, crucial for repelling aerial threats such as drones. Reports indicate successful strikes on enemy UAV operators and command posts, highlighting the precision and efficacy of Ukraine's air force. Furthermore, the potential acquisition of Gripen fighter jets signifies a pivotal step in fortifying Ukraine's aerial capabilities with international support.
How is Ukraine modernizing its combat aviation?
Ukraine is intensifying the modernization of its combat aviation to enhance its air defense capabilities. This involves upgrading aircraft and helicopters to better respond to aerial threats, including drones. Such efforts are critical for maintaining security and countering enemy attacks effectively.
What was the result of the recent operation in Zaporizhzhia?
In Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out a large-scale special operation that successfully destroyed significant enemy strategic assets, including the S-300 SAM systems and UAV command posts. This operation involved key units such as the National Guard’s Lasar’s Group and the Air Force's specialized units, marking a strategic victory in the region.
What strategic improvements are expected from acquiring Gripen fighter jets?
Acquiring Gripen fighter jets from Sweden would significantly bolster Ukraine's air superiority and defense capabilities. These jets are known for their advanced technology and versatility, thereby enabling the Ukrainian Air Force to conduct more precise and effective operations against aerial threats and enhance their role in international defense collaborations.
What impact has Ukrainian aviation had on Russian operations?
Ukrainian aviation has been pivotal in disrupting Russian military operations. By conducting precision air strikes and employing high-precision weaponry, Ukrainian pilots have effectively destroyed important enemy positions, UAV operators, and command posts, which severely hampers Russian military coordination and effectiveness on multiple fronts.
Why did Japan scramble fighter jets recently?
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets in response to a suspected intrusion by Chinese aircraft into its airspace. This action was a precautionary measure to ensure the protection of national airspace and maintain regional security amidst growing tensions in the region.
News air force
Six Su-34Ms hit by "Neptune" at "Borisoglebsk" airfield, – Ukrainian Navy The ‘Neptune’ coastal missile system was used to attack the ‘Borisoglebsk’ military airfield in the Voronezh Region of the Russian Federation. 14 739 94 Previously in trend: Strike on Russian airfield The destruction of a Russian plane
Ukrainian MiG-29 intercepted a Russian "Geran-4" jet drone. VIDEO A video has been published online showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet intercepting a Russian ‘Geran-4’ kamikaze jet drone. The aerial dogfight was filmed directly from the cockpit of the fighter jet. 5 171 11 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Due to massive Russian attack on Ukraine, warnings were issued in two Polish voivodeships, and aircraft were scrambled In Poland, residents of two border provinces were warned about military aircraft activity amid Russia’s airstrikes on Ukraine. Authorities assured the public that the situation is under control and urged citizens to stay tuned for further updates. 610 3 Previously in trend: Massive combined attack
Russia sends Tu-160 strategic bombers into air: threat of cruise missile launches As of the evening of October 6, three Tu-160 strategic bombers had been observed taking off from the Belaya airfield in Russia. 4 511 31 Previously in trend: Take-off of Russian strategic bombers
Poland again scrambles aircraft in response to Russian attack on Ukraine: jet-powered UAV was heading towards Lutsk On the evening of Monday, October 5, Poland scrambled military aircraft in response to a Russian drone attack on Ukraine. 601 3 Previously in trend: Polish jets took off
Ukrainian pilot greets fellow locals with aerobatic manoeuvre over village: "Oh-oh-oh-oh, God, holy crap, how did he not throw up up there!?". VIDEO Footage posted online shows a spectacular flyover by a Ukrainian combat aircraft above a settlement. Eyewitnesses filmed the flight and the pilot’s manoeuvre from the ground. 15 897 40 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Pilot of Ukrainian aircraft shot down Russian UAV with missile: moment of aerial interception was filmed by eyewitnesses on ground. VIDEO A video has been published online showing a Ukrainian pilot in action as he shot down a Russian drone in mid-air with a missile. Eyewitnesses filmed the moment the enemy target was intercepted from the ground. 6 977 10 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Russian attacks near Polish border have become regular occurrence, and fighter jets have to be scrambled every day, - Tusk Russian attacks on Ukraine near the Polish border and on border infrastructure have become a regular occurrence, forcing Poland to scramble its military aircraft several times a day. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that the coming weeks and months could prove very difficult due to Russia’s... 1 286 14 Previously in trend: Situation at the Polish border
An-28 crew shoots down Russian "Gerbera-2" kamikaze drone with "Minigun" machine gun in skies over Ukraine. VIDEO The crew of an An-28 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force intercepted and destroyed a Russian "Gerbera-2" kamikaze drone in flight using a multi-barrel "Minigun" machine gun mounted on board. 16 361 22 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian drones
In northern Poland, search is underway for unidentified aerial object that was approaching from direction of Kaliningrad region: aircraft have been scrambled In northern Poland, dozens of military personnel, police officers, and rescue workers are searching for an unidentified aerial object that may have crashed near Malbork in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. According to radar data, it was travelling from the direction of the Russian Kaliningrad region. 1 645 10 Previously in trend: Airspace violation
ICAO has officially responded to Ukraine’s letter regarding flight risks in Russian airspace, - Sybiha The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has officially responded to Ukraine's letter. 7 273 9 Previously in trend: Striking Russia
Poland scrambled aircraft and closed airports due to Russian attack on western Ukraine On the morning of September 16, Poland scrambled its military aircraft and suspended operations at the airports in Rzeszów and Lublin in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine’s western regions. 1 394 2 Previously in trend: Polish jets took off
Air Arabia, one of largest airlines in Middle East and North Africa, cancels autumn flights to Russia en masse after Zelenskyy’s warning about flight risks Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has begun cancelling large numbers of flights to Russia scheduled for the autumn. This comes a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned airlines and insurers about the risks of flying to Russian airports. 1 161 3 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Russian regions Striking Russia
Plane took off from Chernivtsi and landed in Moldova. VIDEO A Ukrainian An-32 "Antonov" took off from Ukraine on 8 September and landed at "Marculești" International Airport in Moldova. 13 233 24 Previously in trend: air space of Ukraine
Zelenskyy announces talks with partners over combat aircraft delays President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would hold talks with partners over delays in the delivery and maintenance of combat aircraft. 2 536 20
Moscow airports suspended operations for second night in row following Zelenskyy’s warnings, - Russian media The Russian airports Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo suspended operations for the second night in a row following warnings from President Zelenskyy about the dangers of Russian airspace to civil aviation. 3 580 18 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Russian regions
Ukraine formally notifies ICAO that Russian airspace is unsafe for civil aviation – Foreign Ministry Ukraine has officially notified ICAO of the dangers of flying in Russian airspace and urged airlines to exercise caution. 3 215 36 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Russian regions Striking Russia
Accident on Sakhalin: Russian Mi-8 helicopter’s rotor blades ’mow down’ roadside forest strip and helicopter nose dives into ditch. VIDEO A video has been published online showing the emergency landing of a Russian Mi-8 military transport helicopter on the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk–Dolinsk road on Sakhalin Island (the Russian Federation). 10 389 24
Pilot of Ukrainian MiG-29MU1 fighter jet, flying at extremely low altitude, uses R-60 missile to destroy loitering S8000 ’Banderol’ munition. VIDEO A video has appeared online showing Ukrainian aircraft in action whilst defending Ukrainian airspace. 9 655 23 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian drones
Russian airspace is becoming completely unsafe – Zelenskyy warned airlines of risks of flying there The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has appealed to airlines, insurers and all those who use key Russian airports, warning of the increasing danger in Russian airspace. 8 447 129 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Russian regions Striking Russia
Russian Su-35 smoulders on ground after being hit by Defence Forces. VIDEO The Third Army Corps has displayed a Russian Su-35 fighter jet shot down by the Defence Forces. 12 576 14 Previously in trend: Russia lost aircraft
Battle in skies will determine outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the decisive phase of Russia’s war against Ukraine has shifted from land and sea into the air, and therefore it is the "battle in the skies" that will determine the outcome of the long-running conflict. 2 280 39 Previously in trend: Zelenskyy on the situation at the front
Poland disposes of MiG-29 fighters promised to Ukraine after refusal to share drone technology The Ministry of Defense of Poland has decided to gradually phase out its MiG-29 fighter jets, which Warsaw had promised to send to Ukraine in exchange for drone technology; however, the deal fell through. 19 144 219 Previously in trend: Ukraine’s need for Polish MiG-29s Poland and Ukraine relationship
Ukraine and Sweden sign agreement on purchase of 16 Gripen E fighter jets – Zelenskyy On 30 June, Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement for the supply of 16 latest-generation Gripen E fighter jets and agreed on a clear timeline for the transfer of the first batch of previous-generation Gripen C/D aircraft. 3 816 40 Previously in trend: Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine
Russian Mi-2 helicopter crashed whilst carrying out agricultural work in Kuban region On Wednesday, 24 June, a Mi-2 multi-purpose light helicopter crashed in the Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation. 1 502 6 Previously in trend: plane fell in Russia
Ukrainian soldiers destroyed bridge over Karachokrak River in temporarily occupied village of Vasylivka in Zaporizhzhia region with air strike. VIDEO from drone The Ukrainian Air Force continues to successfully isolate the combat zone in the south, systematically destroying key logistical facilities belonging to the Russian invaders. A video has appeared online showing the moment of a precision air strike on the bridge across the Karachokrak River in... 10 276 34 Previously in trend: Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction
Flights by small aircraft are being restricted in Moscow and number of regions of Russian Federation From 20 June, a ban on flights by light and ultralight aircraft and civilian drones will come into force over Moscow and a number of regions in the Russian Federation. 788 6 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Russian regions
Su-24M bomber crashed in Khmelnytskyi region: pilot and navigator killed In the Khmelnytskyi region, at around 7 pm on 16 June 2026, a Su-24M frontline bomber belonging to the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Petro Franko of the Ukrainian Air Force crashed. The crew were killed. 14 074 33 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine Ukraine lost aircraft
Poland has still not handed over promised MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine: it is waiting for Kyiv’s drone technology Poland has confirmed that the transfer of a squadron of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine is being held up due to an unresolved issue regarding a technology barter deal. 5 737 78 Previously in trend: assistance to Ukraine from Poland Ukraine’s need for Polish MiG-29s
French fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft over Baltic states 11 times in one week French military aircraft scrambled at least 11 times over the past week as part of NATO’s air policing mission over the Baltic states. Paris intercepted Russian aircraft. 920 11 Previously in trend: interception of Russian aircraft Russian provocations over the Baltics
MiG-29MU1 pilots destroyed enemy building with GBU-39 bombs and eliminated at least 15 Russian invaders. VIDEO A video has been released online showing Ukrainian MiG-29MU1 fighter pilots carrying out a precision air strike on a Russian military base. 4 918 8 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces AFU aviation
MiG-29 pilots destroyed building housing Russian assault groups in air strike and eliminated around 30 occupiers. VIDEO Pilots from the Ukrainian Air Force carried out an air strike on one of the Russian occupiers’ strongholds, where enemy infantry were based. 8 558 19 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces AFU aviation
Air Force pilots destroyed building housing Russian stormtroopers using AASM HAMMER aerial bombs. VIDEO Pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force carried out an air strike using fighter jets against assault groups of Russian occupiers on one section of the front line. 7 707 18 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces AFU aviation
Poland scrambles aircraft over massive Russian attack on Ukraine Poland scrambled fighter jets and put air defense systems on high alert due to a massive Russian attack on Ukraine. Preventive measures were taken to protect its airspace. 1 287 8 Previously in trend: Polish jets took off Massive combined attack
MiG-29 destroyed "Shahed" with missile amidst cheers of children who watched attack from ground: "Come on, come on! Yes! Well done!". VIDEO A gripping video has appeared online showing the successful work of Ukrainian fighter aircraft during another attack by Russian terrorists. Censor.NET reports that the footage captures the moment an enemy Shahed-type kamikaze drone was destroyed in the sky over Rivne Oblast. 8 615 42 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian drones
A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter struck enemy positions with S-8 unguided missiles. VIDEO The Ukrainian Army Aviation continues to support ground units by delivering devastating strikes against enemy troop concentrations and military equipment. According to Censor.NET, a video has been published online showing footage of the combat operations carried out by the crew of a Mi-24 attack... 5 104 10 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Polish F-16 fighter jets intercept Russian Su-30s over Baltic Sea On Friday, 24 April, Polish F-16 fighter jets intercepted and escorted two Russian Su-30 combat aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea. 1 788 6 Previously in trend: interception of Russian aircraft
Ukrainian An-28 aircraft launched P1-SUN interceptor drone for first time and shot down "Shahed": "Explosion! First target down!". VIDEO The Ukrainian defence industry continues to surprise with its innovative solutions, which transform even transport aircraft into effective air defence assets. A unique video has emerged online showing the first combat deployment of the P1-SUN interceptor drone, launched from an An-28 aircraft.... 13 373 118 Previously in trend: Unmanned technologies
Ukrainian aircraft destroyed Russian drone control centre in half-ruined building. VIDEO The Ukrainian Air Force continues to systematically destroy the enemy’s critical infrastructure using modern aerial strike capabilities. Footage of a successful air strike on a base housing Russian drone operators has been released online. This was reported by Censor.NET. 3 157 2 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces AFU aviation
Russian films aftermath of Ukrainian Air Force strike: "This is what they call a f#cking mass grave. This is what single plane has done. A lot of lads have been burnt to death". VIDEO A video has emerged online showing yet another successful strike on a concentration of Russian occupation forces. Footage captured by the invader himself shows extensive destruction following an attack by Ukrainian troops. This is reported by Censor.NET. 13 984 26 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Strike by Ukrainian MiG-29MU1: 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade destroyed occupiers’ UAV command post. VIDEO The Ukrainian Air Force continues to effectively destroy the enemy’s technological capabilities by delivering precision airstrikes on key drone control centres. Footage of combat operations by pilots of the 204th Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Oleksandr Pokryshkin has been... 7 095 9 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian drones
Unblocking EU loan will allow Ukraine to expand combat aviation – Zelenskyy Ukraine will be able to expand its combat aviation after the European Union's financial package is unblocked. 2 866 12 Previously in trend: AFU aviation Orban’s blocking of a loan for Ukraine
MiG-29 in action: high-precision strike with Hammer aerial bomb destroyed enemy UAV pilots’ deployment site. VIDEO Ukraine’s Air Force demonstrated surgical use of Western precision-guided weapons. A video has been published online showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 delivering a devastating strike on a strategically important enemy target, Censor.NET reports. 6 279 6 Previously in trend: AFU aviation
Enemy S-300 SAM system and UAV command post taken out: National Guard’s Lasar’s Group and Air Force carry out large-scale special operation in Zaporizhzhia region. VIDEO Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a brilliant combined operation in the Zaporizhzhia direction, as a result of which a whole series of the enemy’s strategic assets were successively destroyed. The special operation involved the National Guard’s Lasar’s Group, the aviation employment unit of... 3 927 1 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction
Ukraine is stepping up modernisation of its combat aviation to repel air attacks, — Svyrydenko The government has adopted a decision that will significantly accelerate the modernization of aircraft and helicopters to counter aerial threats, including drones such as the "Shahed". 2 619 22 Previously in trend: Shooting down Shaheds Modernization of the Ukrainian air defense system
Ruscists’ Su-30 crashed in occupied Crimea The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that a Su-30 fighter jet crashed in Crimea and the crew ejected. 4 369 36 Previously in trend: Russia lost aircraft
Ukrainian aviation struck location of Russian UAV operators in Vasylivka. VIDEO Footage has been published online showing a Ukrainian air strike on the location of Russian drone operators. 7 091 9 Previously in trend: missile attack AFU aviation
Direct hit by Hammer: in Kherson region, AASM air bomb completely destroyed occupiers’ command post. VIDEO A successful strike on an occupation forces command post has been recorded in the Kherson sector. Thanks to the precision work of the Ukrainian air force and the use of Western high-precision weaponry, the enemy command post was completely destroyed. This was reported by Censor.NET. 8 732 14 Previously in trend: fightings in Kherson region AFU aviation
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