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.
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Russia expanding Engels-2 air base used for massive strikes on Ukraine. SATELLITE IMAGE The occupiers are expanding the Engels-2 air base, the main hub of Russia’s strategic aviation from which missile-carrying aircraft are launched to strike Ukraine. 2 653 9 Previously in trend: Russia strengthens airbases
Russia is intensifying fortification of airbase in Primorsko-Akhtarsk: "Shaheds" are launched from there – media. SATELLITE IMAGES Russia is intensifying fortification construction at the airfield in Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Krasnodar Krai, Russia), which is used to launch Shahed drones over Ukraine, particularly targeting southern regions. 2 711 10 Previously in trend: Russian military bases Russia strengthens airbases
Russia is moving Tu-95 strategic bombers to Belaya airbase in Siberia. SATELLITE IMAGES Russian troops are moving Tu-95MS strategic long-range bombers to the "Belaya" airbase in eastern Siberia, reportedly for use in strikes against Ukraine. 25 319 51 Previously in trend: Take-off of Russian strategic bombers
Zelenskyy holds meeting on development of Ukraine’s military aircraft fleet. PHOTOS On Friday, May 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting focused on the development of Ukraine’s military aircraft fleet. 3 272 25
Norwegian Air Force fighters intercept group of Russian bombers in Far North. PHOTO On 4 February 2025, two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 fighters took to the air as two Russian Tu-95 bombers, escorted by two Flanker-D fighters, approached NATO airspace in the Far North. 6 508 15
Zelenskyy held meeting on development of Air Force: we are expecting French fighter jets. PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the development of the Air Force and, above all, Ukrainian aviation. 3 760 62
Ukrainian pilot Ivan Bolotov was killed while performing combat mission - 831st tactical aviation brigade. PHOTO A Ukrainian fighter pilot, Captain Ivan Bolotov, was killed during a combat mission. 18 004 41
F-35s intercepted Russian supersonic missile fighter-jets over Baltic Sea. PHOTOS The Netherlands, along with Finland and Sweden, intercepted Russian fighter jets over the Baltic Sea. 32 164 141
"Dangerous and unprofessional": Russian Su-35 nearly crashes into US plane near Alaska. VIDEO+PHOTOS Aircraft of the North American Aerospace Defence Command intercepted Russian military aircraft in the Alaska air defence zone. 20 416 137
Tu-22m3 bombers take off in Russia. Air raid alert in southern and eastern regions of Ukraine. MAP Russians have brought strategic aircraft into the sky. Ukraine is threatened with missile launches by two Tu-22m3 long-range bombers. 7 208 14
3 enemy helicopters destroyed on Russian territory, - Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. VIDEO On 24 July 2024, a Mi-8 military multipurpose helicopter burned down at the Kryazh airfield in Samara, Russia. 13 293 12 Previously in trend: War
Kyiv bids farewell to Valentyn Korenchuk, deceased pilot of 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade. PHOTO Today, on 18 June, the funeral of Valentyn Korenchuk, pilot of the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade (call sign Bdzholyar), took place in Kyiv. He was one of the first to defend Kyiv in air battles. 12 127 12 Previously in trend: War
There were more than 60 aircraft at Russian airfields Engels, Yeysk and Morozovsk before UAV attack - media. SATELLITE PHOTOS Satellite photos show that there were more than 60 aircraft at the Russian airfields of Engels, Yeysk and Morozovsk before the UAV attack on the night of 4-5 April. 17 785 61
DNA analysis confirmed death of pilot from Poltava region - Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Fisher. They said goodbye to him in Myrhorod. PHOTOS DNA analysis has established the death of a serviceman of the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force, the commander of the aviation unit of the squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Fisher. 12 868 26
Pilots in Poland practiced landing combat aircraft on road near border with Russian Federation. PHOTO Polish military pilots were training to land and take off combat aircraft on road 604 near the town of Wielbark in the Warmia and Mazury Voivodeship, which borders the Kaliningrad region of Russia. 7 564 11
For first time, German fighter jets intercepted Russian planes near territorial waters of Latvia. PHOTOS On Friday, 1 March, German fighter jets took off from the Lielvarde military base to intercept Russian aircraft near Latvian territorial waters. 9 738 32
NATO fighters intercept Russian planes over Baltic Sea. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Over the Baltic Sea, NATO fighter jets intercepted two Russian fighters. After that, a Russian An-72 was also intercepted north of Poland. 11 054 26
Destroyed Russian Il-22 at Anapa airfield. PHOTO Air Force spokesman Iurii Ihnat said that the destroyed Russian Il-22 aircraft cannot be restored. 43 537 110 Previously in trend: War
Occupants confirm destruction of Russian Su-34 by Ukrainian air defense forces. PHOTOS Russia confirms the destruction of Su-34 fighters. 24 837 35 Previously in trend: War
Russian army starts using airfield in North Ossetia for missile attacks on Ukraine - media. PHOTO With launch of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ offensive in Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian army moved strategic aviation to an airfield near city of Mozdok in North Ossetia (North Caucasus, Russia). 9 350 21 Previously in trend: War
Military exercises of Air Force of Ukrainian Armed Forces took place in Ukraine. PHOTOS The crews of Mi-24 combat helicopters and Mi-8 military transport helicopters were trained. 9 790 23
SSU prevented illegal export of military transport aircraft engines to Iran. PHOTOS The SSU prevented an attempt to illegally export aircraft components subject to state export control from Ukraine. 12 347 21 Previously in trend: War
Russians could transfer their aircraft from "Engels-2" airfield to Murmansk region, - mass media. PHOTOS Tu-95 bombers from Engels-2 airfield near Saratov could be moved to the airfield of the strategic aviation of the Russian Federation "Olenya" in the Murmansk region in the north of Russia. 6 151 10 Previously in trend: War
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Almost 2 dozen long-range bombers near Saratov are probably preparing for new missile attack on Ukraine, - Spiegel. PHOTOS The publication notes that there is a high level of activity at the airfield, which may indicate that the Russian Federation is preparing for a new missile attack on Ukraine. 16 049 96
Ukrainian soldiers in east shot down 4 enemy UAVs and Su-25 attack aircraft, - United Forces Group. PHOTOS The AFU inflicted losses on the occupiers in the eastern direction. 7 015 14 Previously in trend: War
Russia destroys by air all roads and bridges to Lisichansk, - Haidai. VIDEO Russian occupiers destroy helicopters from roads and bridges leading to Lysychansk (Luhansk region). Do not drive to the city by truck. 14 645 43 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Third strike of Russian aircraft on Sumy region: plane fired 6 missiles. PHOTOS This afternoon the enemy plane which came from the Russian village of Mykolaivka made 6 rockets launches across the border territory of Ukraine. 12 881 24
Russian aircraft fired at Sumy region, frontier soldier is wounded, - Zhyvysky. PHOTO Russian troops fired from aircraft at two communities in the Sumy region. 13 871 29 Previously in trend: War
Times published article about legendary Ghost of Kyiv. Publication calls him Major Stepan Tarabalka, who died on March 13 in air battle. PHOTOS On Friday, April 29, one of the most influential British newspapers published an article about the legendary Ghost of Kyiv. 69 782 102 Previously in trend: War
Paratroopers shot down Russian Su-25 plane with "Stinger" in Donbass. PHOTO Soldiers of the 25th Separate Airborne Sycheslav Brigade shot down an enemy Su-25 with a "Stinger" MANPAD. 37 252 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Clear Sky-2018 drills: pilots practiced airstrikes, interception. PHOTOS Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia regions continue hosting large-scale multinational air exercises Clear Sky-2018 with military pilots of Ukraine’s Air Forces and NATO countries including Belgium, UK, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and U.S. taking part in them. 16 952 86
Ukraine's An-124 made contribution to Falcon Heavy launch preparation, - Ukraine embassy in US. PHOTO An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft operated by Antonov Airlines, a subsidiary of Kyiv-based Antonov SE, took part in preparations for the launch of Falcon Heavy rocket. 37 873 200
Antonov shows its two most advanced cargo planes in UAE. PHOTO Ukraine’s Antonov state-run aircraft company presented its two cargo planes at the Dubai Air Show in the United Arab Emirates: An-132D demonstrator and An-70 short take-off and landing transport aircraft. 59 269 116
American soldiers went on guided tour to military base of Petro Franko tactical air brigade. PHOTOS Participants of the aviation section of Rapid Trident 2017 exercise in the Lviv region have visited Petro Franko tactical air brigade. 61 975 67
Airborne unit drills loading military hardware onboard IL-76 carrier in Zhytomyr region. PHOTOS Ukrainian troopers practiced in loading the military hardware into the IL-76DM air carrier at an airfield in the Zhytomyr region. 32 778 64
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Antonov plant presents new An-132 air carrier. PHOTOS Antonov State Enterprise has unveiled the first engineering development model of the new An-132 air carrier. 68 807 158
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Air festival in Kyiv: From hang gliders to AN-178. PHOTOS An air festival has opened in Kyiv. 60 695 69
Canadian experts to hold aviation safety training courses for Ukrainian military, - Defense Ministry. PHOTOS Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Lieutenant-General Serhii Drozdov held a working meeting with experts of the Royal Canadian Air Force headed by commander of Joint Task Force-Ukraine (JTF-U), Lieutenant-Colonel Wayne Niven at the Ukrainian Air Force HQ Sept. 5. 12 982 20 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
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Pivdennyi Viter 2016: Ukraine's Air Force perform air support drills. PHOTOS Pivdennyi Viter 2016 (Southern Wind) complex command and staff exercise is underway within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 28 716 64
Ukraine’s Presidential Administration roasts “LPR” terrorist Plotnitsky’s threat to employ combat air force. PHOTOS Presidential Administration speaker on the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) matters Andrii Lysenko has responded to the statement the “LPR” militants made about their operational air force. 159 661 217 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine
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