In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, neither side has gained air superiority on the battlefield. Despite having inferior combat aircraft compared to Russia, the Ukrainian Air Force has managed to maintain its presence and influence in the war zone, a subject that has intrigued many observers. Recently, the Ukrainian Air Force released a video showcasing the combat operations of Su-27 fighter jets in Ukrainian airspace.
In the video, a Ukrainian Su-27 pilot, codenamed “Viking,” shared his combat experiences and battlefield observations, shedding light on the challenges and rare successes faced by the Ukrainian Air Force fighter squadron. The pilot known as “Viking” recounted his experiences from the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, where he actively participated in defense operations to safeguard the airspace over Kyiv.
Even though Ukraine recently received F-16 fighter jets, the country’s most formidable aircraft remains the Soviet-era Su-27 and MiG-29, which continue to serve as the backbone of the Ukrainian Air Force. The experiences described by “Viking” seemed similar to those of another pilot with the call sign “Juice,” a MiG-29 pilot who tragically passed away in a training accident in August 2023.
Throughout the conflict, the Ukrainian Air Force faced significant challenges due to the technological disadvantage in radar and missile capabilities compared to Russian pilots. Despite occasional successful tracking of enemy aircraft, it was difficult for Ukrainian fighter jets to position themselves advantageously for an attack.
At the onset of the war, the Ukrainian Air Force had approximately 32 Su-27 jets across two brigades stationed in different regions of Ukraine. However, due to the initial stages of the invasion, a significant number of Su-27 jets were destroyed on the ground, while others were undergoing maintenance, making them vulnerable to attacks.
“Viking” described the daily challenges faced by the Ukrainian Air Force pilots and emphasized the crucial role played by advanced Western weapons systems in enabling the Su-27 aircraft to transition from primarily air-to-air combat to more offensive ground attack missions. Particularly, he highlighted the effectiveness of the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) in targeting and neutralizing Russian air defense systems.
Despite suspicions from Russian media regarding the integration of Western weaponry on Soviet-era Ukrainian fighter aircraft, “Viking” emphasized the success of using these advanced weapons to disrupt and suppress Russian air defense systems during the conflict. The deployment of precision-guided munitions such as JDAM-ER and GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs further enhanced the Ukrainian Air Force’s capabilities in countering Russian threats.
The strategic and technological differences between Russian and Ukrainian tactics were evident, with “Viking” citing the more efficient use of ammunition by Ukrainian forces compared to the heavy reliance on sheer volume by Russian troops. The introduction of low-cost, precision-guided glide bombs by Russia posed a new challenge for Ukrainian air defense systems, requiring innovative approaches to counteract these threats.
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth year, “Viking” expressed resilience and determination among Ukrainian Air Force personnel, underscoring the critical need for additional aircraft equipped with advanced weaponry to achieve a more balanced stance against Russian aerial forces. He stressed the importance of continuous adaptation and enhancement of air-to-ground capabilities to effectively confront evolving threats on the battlefield.