Ukrainian Air Force
The Ukrainian Air Force was formed on 17 March 1992 from one of the largest Soviet air arms in Europe, shed its strategic bombers and most of its aircraft in two decades of decline, lost Crimea in 2014, survived Russia’s opening strikes of 24 February 2022 by dispersing its jets — and in 2026 it flies F-16s and Mirage 2000s alongside Soviet MiGs and Sukhois, fights a daily war against missiles and drones, and waits for Swedish Gripens.
The Ukrainian Air Force story: a Soviet inheritance, two decades of decline and the air war against Russia’s invasion
1917–1992: an old name and a Soviet inheritance
Ukraine had an air arm before it had a lasting state: the air fleet of the Ukrainian People’s Republic flew from 1917 until it was disbanded in 1921, in the war that ended with Ukraine inside the Soviet Union. The present service has no organisational link to it. What Ukraine really inherited, when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, was the Soviet air force and air defence in its territory. By 17 March 1992, when the Ukrainian Air Force was formally created, it nominally controlled more than 2,800 aircraft and helicopters in 49 regiments and 11 squadrons, according to the figures summarised by Wikipedia. Among them were 19 Tu-160 and some two dozen Tu-95MS strategic bombers, 20 Il-78 tankers and hundreds of nuclear-capable cruise missiles. A separate Air Defence Forces took over the Soviet 8th Air Defence Army, about 67,000 troops in three corps at Lviv, Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk. On paper it was one of the largest air forces in Europe; in practice Ukraine could afford almost none of it.
1992–2013: disarmament, decline and two disasters
Decline set in at once. The IISS counted about 900 combat-capable aircraft and 440 more in storage in 1993. The MiG-23, MiG-25 and Su-15 interceptors had gone by 1995–96, and between 1994 and 2003 the entire fleet of about 60 Tu-22M bombers was scrapped, bar a few preserved. In 1999–2000 Russia took eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95MS against Ukraine’s gas debt; the other Tu-160s were cut up under the US Nunn–Lugar programme, and one survives at the Poltava museum. Personnel fell from 96,000 in 2002 to 45,240 in 2010, and between 2006 and 2017 Ukraine sold dozens of combat jets, trainers and helicopters abroad. Two disasters marked the period: on 4 October 2001 a Ukrainian S-200 fired in an exercise off Crimea destroyed Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 with 78 aboard, and on 27 July 2002 an Su-27UB crashed into the crowd at the Sknyliv air show near Lviv, killing 77 people. In 2004 the Air Defence Forces were merged into the Air Force, which gave it the shape it still has.
2014: Crimea, Donbas and MH17
In 2014 the air force was, by the account Wikipedia summarises, down to about 144 aircraft, only two-thirds of them serviceable. When Russia seized Crimea — annexed by Russia in 2014 and still regarded as Ukrainian by the UN General Assembly (resolution 68/262) and most states — Russian forces blocked the MiG-29 brigade at Belbek from 28 February and took the base on 22 March; Ukraine later evacuated 43 MiG-29s and one L-39, most damaged, before Russia’s defence minister halted the transfers with 12 aircraft still there. In the Donbas war that spring the air force flew attack, transport and reconnaissance missions and paid for it: on 14 June an Il-76MD was shot down on approach to Luhansk, killing all 49 aboard, and on 14 July an An-26 was downed at about 6,500 metres. On 17 July Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was destroyed over the same region. The Dutch Safety Board found in 2015 that a Buk missile caused it; the international Joint Investigation Team traced the launcher to Russia’s 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, and a Dutch court convicted three men in 2022. Russia denies involvement.
24 February 2022: the air force that was meant to be destroyed
Russia opened its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022 with missile strikes that, in the account Wikipedia summarises, hit 11 air bases and dozens of radars. They were meant to ground the air force; they did not. RUSI’s study of the first months records that aircraft and air-defence systems had been dispersed hours before the strikes, a drill Ukraine had practised for years. The fighter force — about 50 MiG-29s and 32 Su-27s by RUSI’s count — was out-ranged by Russian fighters and missiles, often outnumbered, and lost several aircraft in air combat. The legend of the "Ghost of Kyiv", a MiG-29 pilot said to have shot down six Russian jets on the first day, spread worldwide; on 30 April 2022 Air Force Command itself called him "a superhero-legend, whose character was created by Ukrainians". The real achievement was survival: in September 2022 the commander of US Air Forces in Europe, Gen. James Hecker, put the air force at about 80 per cent of its pre-war strength. Ukraine then added MiG-29s given by Poland and Slovakia, fitted Su-24s with Storm Shadow and MiG-29s with American HARM missiles.
2024–2026: F-16s, Mirages and the long road to Gripen
The first F-16s were shown by President Zelensky on Air Force Day, 4 August 2024: two F-16AM MLU aircraft from the Dutch and Danish donations, the first of about 80 pledged. The cost came quickly. On 26 August 2024 Lt Col Oleksii Mes was killed when his F-16 crashed while repelling a Russian missile attack, and the air force commander was dismissed days later. The Air Force has since announced the deaths of Pavlo Ivanov (12 April 2025) and Maksym Ustymenko (29 June 2025, after shooting down seven targets, it said), and further F-16 losses on 16 May 2025 and 29 July 2026 in which the pilots ejected. The Netherlands completed its 24 aircraft on 26 May 2025; Denmark pledged 19, Norway several, Belgium 30. France’s first Mirage 2000-5s arrived on 6 February 2025; one was lost to a reported equipment failure on 22 July 2025. On 22 October 2025 Ukraine signed a letter of intent for 100–150 Gripen Es, and on 17 November 2025 one for up to 100 Rafales. Sweden then promised 16 used Gripen C/Ds for early 2027 and, on 30 June 2026, sold 16 Gripen Es.
The drone war, and what is still missing
The air force’s daily war is against missiles and drones. The President’s office says that since 2024, under Kryvonozhko, about 125,000 aerial targets were destroyed, over 122,000 of them attack drones; those are Ukraine’s own figures and are not independently verified. By mid-2026 the problem was ammunition. The Ministry of Defence reported that in July 2026 only 29 of 195 Russian ballistic missiles were intercepted, against 187 of 265 cruise missiles, "under conditions of a critical shortage of interceptor missiles"; in August the Air Force stopped publishing daily ballistic-missile figures, a decision criticised as a loss of transparency. Its spokesman, Yurii Ihnat, said pilots short of missiles were using cannon against Russia’s new jet-powered drones. On 25 September 2026 Zelensky said President Trump had agreed to licence Patriot missile production in Ukraine. What is still missing is plain: interceptors, enough modern fighters to replace the Soviet fleet, and time — the Gripen Es are years away and the Rafale deal is still a memorandum.
The Ukrainian Air Force in numbers
Servis
- Rodné jméno
- Повітряні Сили Збройних Сил УкраїниPovitriani Syly Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; zsu.gov.ua spells it with capitals, "Повітряні Сили". Ukrainian is the only official state language
- Založeno
- 17 March 1992Created from Soviet air units on Ukrainian territory; the separate Air Defence Forces were merged into it in 2004
- Část
- Armed Forces of UkraineOne of the three main branches, with the Ground Forces and the Navy; its stated purpose is to defend the country’s airspace. It combines aviation (bomber, fighter, attack, reconnaissance and transport), anti-aircraft missile troops and radio-technical (radar) troops
- Velitelství
- Air Force Command, VinnytsiaPre-war structure: four regional air commands, West (Lviv), Centre (Vasylkiv), South (Odesa) and East (Dnipro)
- Velitel
- Lt Gen Anatolii KryvonozhkoActing from 30 August 2024, appointed 3 August 2025
- Air Force Day
- Early AugustCelebrated in early August: the first F-16s were shown on 4 August 2024 and the President decorated airmen on 2 August 2026
Pevnost
- Personál
- About 35,000 (2022)Pre-invasion estimate summarised by Wikipedia. Ukraine does not publish wartime strength. It had 96,000 in 2002 and 45,240 in 2010
- Bojová letadla
-
- F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon — up to 39 (June 2026 estimate)
- Mirage 2000-5F — number not published
- MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24M/MR, Su-25 — numbers not published
Ukraine does not publish fleet numbers in wartime. The F-16 figure is an estimate after combat losses reported by the Kyiv Independent; Wikipedia’s table gives 45 MiG-29, 23 Su-27, 13 Su-24 and 17 Su-25, figures that cannot be checked
- Doprava a speciální mise
-
- An-24, An-26, An-30, one An-70
Types from Wikipedia’s inventory table; counts are estimates. Two Saab 340 ASC 890 airborne early warning aircraft are listed as promised by Sweden
- Vrtulníky
-
- Mi-8, Mi-9 and donated Mi-17
Air force transport and command-post helicopters; most attack helicopters belong to Army Aviation, not the air force
- Trenéři
-
- L-39C/M1 Albatros
- Yak-52 (reintroduced 2024 as a drone hunter, per Wikipedia)
Pilots for the F-16 and Gripen also train abroad, including on L-39s at North Bay, Canada, since April 2025
- Aerial targets destroyed (claimed)
- About 125,000 since 2024The President’s office figure of 2 August 2026: over 1,800 ballistic and cruise missiles, more than 122,000 attack drones, 29 aircraft and 13 helicopters. A Ukrainian claim, not independently verified
Infrastruktura
- Air commands
-
- West — Lviv
- Centre — Vasylkiv
- South — Odesa
- East — Dnipro
The regional structure as published before 2022. Current unit dispositions are deliberately not given on this page
- Air bases attacked, 24 February 2022
- 11In the opening Russian strike of at least 160 missiles, as summarised by Wikipedia; aircraft had been dispersed hours before (RUSI)
- Bases lost in 2014
-
- Belbek, Crimea — MiG-29 brigade blocked 28 February, seized 22 March 2014
43 MiG-29s and one L-39 were evacuated later that spring; 12 aircraft stayed after Russia halted transfers. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014; UN General Assembly resolution 68/262 and most states regard it as Ukrainian
- Pilot training abroad
- Several countriesF-16 training began in Denmark, the United States and at a centre in Romania (September 2024); Mirage crews trained in France; Gripen and F-16 pilots at North Bay, Canada, since April 2025 (21 enrolled in September 2026); Ukrainian pilots were training in Sweden in 2026
- Tým pro prezentaci
- Ukrainian Falcons (former)The Su-27 crew in the 2002 Sknyliv crash, Volodymyr Toponar and Yuriy Yegorov, were members of the team
How the Ukrainian Air Force is organised
Air Force Command in Vinnytsia over, in the structure published before the war, four regional air commands: West at Lviv, Centre at Vasylkiv, South at Odesa and East at Dnipro. Since 2004 the air force has combined bomber, fighter, attack, reconnaissance and transport aviation with the anti-aircraft missile troops and radar troops of the former Air Defence Forces. The brigades are shown as they were published before 24 February 2022; Ukraine does not publish wartime basing, and none is given here.
Velitelství letectva
In Vinnytsia. The Air Force is one of the three main branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the Ground Forces and the Navy, and its stated purpose is to defend the country’s airspace. Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko has led it since 30 August 2024, as acting commander until his formal appointment on 3 August 2025.
Air Command West
One of the four regional air commands in the structure published before 2022. Ukraine does not publish its wartime organisation, and none is given here.
Air Command Centre
One of the four regional air commands published before 2022, led from 2015 by Anatolii Kryvonozhko, now the air force commander.
Air Command South
One of the four regional air commands in the structure published before 2022.
Air Command East
One of the four regional air commands in the structure published before 2022.
Tactical aviation brigades
As published before the full-scale invasion of 24 February 2022: the 7th with the Su-24M and Su-24MR, the 39th and 831st with the Su-27, the 40th, 114th and 204th with the MiG-29 and the 299th with the Su-25. Ukraine does not publish wartime basing, and none is given here.
Transport and training brigades
As published before 2022: the 456th Guards and 25th Transport Aviation Brigades and the 203rd Training Aviation Brigade, which trained the cadets of the Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University in Kharkiv. The 25th lost its base at Melitopol to Russian forces on 1 March 2022.
Anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops
The former Air Defence Forces, which took over the Soviet 8th Air Defence Army in 1992 and were merged into the Air Force in 2004. No positions are given here.
What the Ukrainian Air Force flies today
Každý typ na obvinění, propojený s jeho stránkou v Knize zvířat, kde nějaký existuje. Počty se vztahují na letadla v evidenci, nikoli na letadla dostupná v daný den.
| Typ | Role | V provozu | Od | Jednotky | Poznámky | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Dynamics F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon (MLU)V provozu | Multirole fighter and air defence | — | 2024 | — | Up to 39 in June 2026 after combat losses, per an estimate reported by the Kyiv Independent (Wikipedia’s table also gives 39).
VícePledges: Netherlands 24 (completed 26 May 2025), Denmark 19, Norway at least six, Belgium 30 by 2028; about 80–85 in all. Ukraine does not publish the number. |
|
| Dassault Mirage 2000-5FV provozu | Víceúčelový stíhač | — | 2025 | — | France has not published the number delivered. Wikipedia’s table gives six in service, figures that cannot be checked. | |
| Mikoyan MiG-29 (9.12, 9.13), MiG-29MU1/MU2 and MiG-29UBV provozu | Bojovník | — | 1992 | — | Up to about 240 inherited in 1991; about 50 at the start of the 2022 invasion (RUSI). Poland and Slovakia gave 27 more in 2023 per Wikipedia. Current numbers not published. | |
| Sukhoi Su-27S/P/UB and upgraded Su-27S1M/P1M/UB1MV provozu | Stíhačka pro vzdušnou nadvládu | — | 1992 | — | About 32 at the start of the 2022 invasion (RUSI); current numbers not published. | |
| Sukhoi Su-24M and Su-24MRV provozu | Útok a průzkum | — | 1992 | — | Numbers not published; Wikipedia’s table gives 13. | |
| Sukhoi Su-25, Su-25M1 and Su-25UBM1V provozu | Close air support | — | 1992 | — | Numbers not published; Wikipedia’s table gives 17. | |
| Aero L-39C and L-39M1 AlbatrosV provozu | Proudový cvičný letoun | — | 1992 | — | Wikipedia’s table gives 42; 39 were available in 2010 against 300 in 2002. | |
| Jakovlev Jak-52V provozu | Piston trainer, used against drones | — | 2024 | — | Nezveřejněno. | |
| Antonov An-26 and An-24V provozu | Taktická doprava | — | 1992 | — | Numbers not published. | |
| Antonov An-30V provozu | Aerial survey and reconnaissance | — | 1992 | — | Wikipedia’s table gives three. | |
| Antonov An-70V provozu | Doprava | 1 | — | One, per Wikipedia. | ||
| Mil Mi-8, Mi-9 and Mi-17V provozu | Transport and command-post helicopter | — | 1992 | — | Numbers not published; Mi-17s donated since 2022. | |
| Baykar Bayraktar TB2V provozu | Armed drone | — | — | Not published; Wikipedia records at least eight donated by Baykar. |
Na objednávku
| Typ | Objednané | První dodávka | Poznámky | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen (ex-Swedish)Na objednávku | 16 | 2027 | Announced by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson with President Zelensky at Uppsala on 28 May 2026: 16 used Gripen C/Ds from the Swedish Air Force, expected from early 2027.
VíceUkrainian pilots were already training in Sweden. |
|
| Saab JAS 39E GripenNa objednávku | 16 | Purchase signed on 30 June 2026. In May Sweden spoke of up to 20 Gripen Es, possibly by 2030, financed with 2.5 billion euros from the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan.
VíceIt follows a non-binding letter of intent of 22 October 2025 at Linköping for 100–150 Gripen Es over 10–15 years. |
||
| Dassault Rafale F4Na objednávku | — | Letter of intent for up to 100, signed at Villacoublay on 17 November 2025 with deliveries by 2035. It is a memorandum, not a contract; no financing had been announced.
VíceIn August 2026 the President’s office said work with France was continuing. |
||
| General Dynamics F-16AM/BM (ex-Belgian)Na objednávku | 7 | 2026 | Belgium said on 18 June 2026 it would deliver seven by the end of 2026, three to fly and four for spare parts; Zelensky confirmed three by the end of the year on 29 September 2026.
VíceBelgium’s earlier pledge was 30 by 2028. |
|
| Saab 340 ASC 890 airborne early warningNa objednávku | 2 | Listed by Wikipedia as promised by Sweden; delivery not confirmed on an official page. |
Every type the Ukrainian Air Force has retired
19 types, from the Tupolev Tu-160 to the Tupolev Tu-22M2 and Tu-22M3. Špičkové hodnoty se vztahují na počet draků letadel převzatých do provozu po celou dobu jejich životnosti, nikoli na počet letadel v daný den.
| Typ | Role | Vrchol | Obsluhováno | Nahrazeno | Poznámky | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 and Tu-22M3 | Long-range bomber | 60 | 1992–2003 | — | About 60. | |
| Tupolev Tu-160 | Strategický bombardér | 19 | 1992–2000 | — | 19 inherited. | |
| Tupolev Tu-95MS and Tu-95M | Strategický bombardér | — | 1992–2000 | — | 23–27 Tu-95MS plus two Tu-95M: the same Wikipedia article gives both 27 and 23 for the Tu-95MS, so the range is published. | |
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 | Interceptor a průzkum | — | 1992–1996 | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Mikojan-Gurevič MiG-23 | Interceptor | — | 1992–1996 | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Sukhoi Su-15 | Interceptor | — | 1992–1996 | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Ilyushin Il-78 tanker | Doplňování paliva za letu | 20 | 1992– | — | 20 inherited in 1992. | |
| Ilyushin Il-76MD | Heavy transport | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Mikoyan MiG-27 | Stíhací bombardér | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Mikojan-Gurevič MiG-21 | Bojovník | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Sukhoi Su-17/Su-22 family | Stíhací bombardér | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Tupolev Tu-22 | Bombardér a průzkumník | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Tupolev Tu-16 | Bomber and tanker | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Yakovlev Yak-28 | Electronic warfare and reconnaissance | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Aero L-29 Delfín | Proudový cvičný letoun | — | 1992– | L-39 | Not confirmed. | |
| Antonov An-12 | Doprava | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Tupolev Tu-134 | Transport and trainer | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Mil Mi-2 and Mi-6 | Light and heavy helicopters | — | 1992– | — | Not confirmed. | |
| Tupolev Tu-141 and Tu-143 reconnaissance drones | Průzkumný dron | — | 1992– | — | 50 Tu-143s were among the equipment sold abroad in 2006–2017. |
Where the Ukrainian Air Force flew from before the full-scale invasion
Černé špendlíky označují aktivní základny, duté špendlíky označují uzavřená letiště. Ukraine does not publish wartime basing: every unit is shown at its peacetime garrison as published before 24 February 2022, and no current dispositions or aircraft numbers are given. Belbek and Saky are in Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014 and considered part of Ukraine by UN General Assembly resolution 68/262 and most states, and have been under Russian control since 2014; Melitopol has been under Russian occupation since 1 March 2022, and Vinnytsia is marked closed since the Russian missile strike of 6 March 2022. Pryluky lost its Tu-160s by 2001 and Poltava its bomber regiment in 2006. Entries with no published aerodrome data carry no pin.
| Báze | ICAO | Postavení | Dráha | Jednotky a letadla |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChuhuivKharkiv Oblast | Aktivní | — |
|
|
| Ivano-FrankivskIvano-Frankivsk Oblast | UKLI | Aktivní | 10/282 507 mkonkrétní |
|
| KulbakinoMykolaiv Oblast | UKOR | Aktivní | — |
|
| LutskVolyn Oblast | UKLC | Aktivní | 06/242 500 mkonkrétní |
|
| MyrhorodPoltava Oblast | UKBM | Aktivní | 04/222 500 mkonkrétní |
|
| OzerneZhytomyr Oblast | UKKO | Aktivní | 11/293 050 mkonkrétní |
|
| StarokostiantynivKhmelnytskyi Oblast | UKLS | Aktivní | 11/292,475 mkonkrétní |
|
| VasylkivKyiv Oblast | UKKW | Aktivní | 13/312,465 mkonkrétní |
|
| PrylukyChernihiv Oblast | UKBP | ZAVŘENO | 17R/35L3 000 mkonkrétní17L/35R2 500 mkonkrétní | |
| MelitopolZaporizhzhia Oblast | UKDM | Zavřeno v roce 2022 | 04/222,470 mkonkrétní |
|
| VinnytsiaHavryshivkaVinnytsia Oblast | UKWW | Zavřeno v roce 2022 | 13/312 500 mkonkrétní |
|
| BelbekSevastopol, Crimea | UKFB | Uzavřeno 2014 | — |
|
| SakyAutonomous Republic of Crimea | UKFI | Uzavřeno 2014 | 04R/22L3,175 mkonkrétní |
|
| PoltavaPoltava Oblast | UKHL | Uzavřeno 2006 | 08/262 500 mkonkrétní |
|
Tomuto vyhledávání neodpovídá žádná letecká základna.
Who is stationed where in the Ukrainian Air Force
Flying units by base, as published before the full-scale invasion of 24 February 2022. Ukraine does not publish wartime basing, so every Air Force brigade appears at its pre-war garrison and is marked as former; the Soviet, American and naval units that flew from the same fields are listed too, each marked as such. Where a unit or date rests on English Wikipedia alone, the entry says so.
- 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade1992–
- MiG-29, MiG-29UB and upgraded MiG-29MU1, Aero L-39M1 Albatros
- 146th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (Soviet Air Defence Forces, then Ukraine)—
- MiG-25PD
- 36th Fighter Aviation Division (Soviet Air Forces)1941–1941
- 2nd, 43rd, 254th and 255th Fighter Aviation Regiments
- 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade1992–
- Su-27, Su-27UB and upgraded Su-27S1M/P1M, Aero L-39M1 Albatros
- 13th Combat Bombardment Wing (USAAF), Operation Frantic1944–1944
- B-17 Flying Fortress
- 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade "Petro Franko"1992–
- Su-24M and Su-24MR, Aero L-39C Albatros
- 85th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Soviet Air Forces)—
- —
- 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade2018–
- Su-27, Su-27UB, Aero L-39C Albatros
- 15th Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division (Soviet Long-Range Aviation)1945–1994
- Tu-22 and Tu-22PD, Tu-22M2 (341st Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment), Tu-16K (251st Guards Regiment, from 1989)
- 894th Fighter Aviation Regiment1986–1992
- —
- 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade—
- MiG-29
- 277th Mlava Red Banner Bomber Aviation Regiment (Soviet Air Forces)1950–1954
- —
- 204th Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade named after Oleksandr Pokryshkin2018–
- MiG-29, MiG-29MU1, MiG-29UB, Aero L-39 Albatros
- 806th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (Soviet, then Ukrainian)—
- Su-17
- 299th Tactical Aviation Brigade2005–
- Su-25, Aero L-39C and L-39M Albatros
- 203rd Training Aviation Brigade—
- Aero L-39 Albatros, Antonov An-26Sh navigator trainer
Žádná jednotka neodpovídá tomuto vyhledávání.
Ukrainian Air Force milestones, 1914 to today
The air fleet of the Ukrainian People’s Republic is formed; it is disbanded in 1921.
17 March: the Ukrainian Air Force is created from Soviet units, nominally with more than 2,800 aircraft and helicopters. A separate Air Defence Forces takes over the Soviet 8th Air Defence Army.
By 1995–96 the MiG-23, MiG-25 and Su-15 interceptors are withdrawn; the Tu-22M fleet is scrapped between 1994 and 2003.
Ukraine agrees to hand Russia eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95MS against its gas debt; delivered by early 2000.
4 October: a Ukrainian S-200 fired in an exercise off Crimea destroys Siberia Airlines Flight 1812; 78 killed.
27 July: an Su-27UB crashes into spectators at the Sknyliv air show near Lviv, killing 77.
The Air Defence Forces are merged into the Air Force.
The first four upgraded MiG-29MU1s are delivered.
28 February–22 March: Russian forces block and seize Belbek in Crimea. 14 June: Il-76MD shot down at Luhansk, 49 killed. 17 July: MH17 destroyed over eastern Ukraine by a Buk missile, according to the Dutch Safety Board.
25 September: an An-26Sh crashes at Chuhuiv on a training flight; 26 killed, 19 of them cadets.
24 February: Russia’s full-scale invasion opens with missile strikes on air bases; aircraft had been dispersed. 30 April: Air Force Command calls the "Ghost of Kyiv" a legend.
16 March: Poland announces the first MiG-29 transfer; Slovakia follows. Su-24s are fitted with Storm Shadow.
23 February: an A-50 is shot down over the Sea of Azov, later acknowledged by Russia’s Investigative Committee. 4 August: first F-16s shown. 26 August: Lt Col Oleksii Mes killed in an F-16 crash. 30 August: commander Mykola Oleshchuk dismissed.
6 February: first Mirage 2000-5s arrive. 26 May: Netherlands completes 24 F-16s. 3 August: Kryvonozhko appointed commander. 22 October: Gripen letter of intent. 17 November: Rafale letter of intent.
28 May: Sweden announces 16 Gripen C/Ds. 30 June: 16 Gripen Es bought. 13 August: the Air Force stops publishing daily ballistic-missile figures. 25 September: Zelensky says Patriot missile production will be licensed to Ukraine.
Every war the Ukrainian Air Force has fought
Výpady a ztráty tam, kde je statistika udává, a poctivá prázdnota tam, kde ne.
- Ukrainian War of Independence 1917–1921 Flew for the Ukrainian People’s Republic in the wars that followed the collapse of the Russian Empire
- Russian annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas 2014–2022 Lost its Crimean base without a fight; in Donbas flew ground attack, transport, supply and reconnaissance for Ukrainian forces against Russian-backed separatists
- Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022– Defends Ukrainian airspace with fighters and ground-based air defence against Russian aircraft, missiles and drones; flies strike missions with Su-24s, Su-25s and F-16s, including Storm Shadow and HARM launches
Ukrainian Air Force news from Afterburner
Everything MiGFlug’s magazine has published on the Ukrainian Air Force and the aircraft it flies. Tento seznam se obnovuje sám – nové příběhy Afterburneru se zde zobrazují automaticky.
Everything people ask about the Ukrainian Air Force
What is the Ukrainian Air Force called in Ukrainian?
What fighter jets does the Ukrainian Air Force fly in 2026?
How many F-16s has Ukraine received?
Was the Ghost of Kyiv real?
Is Ukraine getting Gripen fighters?
Will Ukraine buy the Rafale?
What happened at the Sknyliv air show in 2002?
Who shot down MH17?
What happened to Ukraine’s nuclear bombers?
Who commands the Ukrainian Air Force?
Read the aircraft the Ukrainian Air Force flew
Každý typ se stránkou v Knize zvířat, nejprve v provozu a poté v roce, kdy opustil flotilu.
Každý fakt, ověřený
- Armed Forces of Ukraine: Povitriani Syly (Air Force)Official spelling "Повітряні Сили"; a main branch designed to protect state airspace; aviation branches, anti-aircraft missile and radio-technical troops.
- Armed Forces of Ukraine: Structure of the Armed ForcesAir Force listed as one of three branches with the Ground Forces and Navy.
- President of Ukraine: Using the Means Available to Them, Our Air Force Achieves Major Results (2 August 2026)Air Force Day; Lt Gen Anatolii Kryvonozhko commander; about 125,000 aerial targets since 2024; pilots training in Sweden; Rafale work.
- President of Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Ukrainian Pilots Training in Canada (12 September 2026)International Test Pilots School, North Bay; F-16 and Gripen preparation since April 2025; 21 enrolled; L-39s.
- Kyiv Independent: Zelensky appoints new head of Ukrainian Air Force after year-long vacancy (3 August 2025)Kryvonozhko appointed; acting since August 2024; Air Command Centre since 2015; 20-year aviation strategy.
- Kyiv Independent: Firing of Air Force Commander Oleshchuk not connected to deadly F-16 crash, Umerov says (31 August 2024)Crash of 26 August 2024; Oleksii Mes killed; Umerov: "a rotation".
- Dutch Safety Board: Crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 (report of 13 October 2015)Buk 9N314M warhead; 298 killed; Ukraine had sufficient reason to close the airspace.
- Netherlands Public Prosecution Service: MH17 plane crashJIT: Buk TELAR of Russia’s 53rd brigade; launch near Pervomaiskyi; verdict of 17 November 2022; JIT report 8 February 2023.
- RUSI: Preliminary Lessons in Conventional Warfighting from Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, February–July 2022About 50 MiG-29 and 32 Su-27; dispersal before the strikes; air combat; cruise missile interception rates.
- Oryx: Attack On Europe – Documenting Ukrainian Equipment LossesVisually confirmed losses only; real losses higher.
- Minfin.com.ua: Russian losses as reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of UkraineGeneral Staff claims at 23 April 2025: 370 aircraft, 335 helicopters. Ukrainian claims, not independently verified.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine gave a glimpse of its first F-16s – what can it tell us? (6 August 2024)Two F-16s shown on 4 August 2024, Air Force Day; about 80 pledged; F-16AM MLU; AIM-9M and AIM-120.
- Kyiv Independent: Netherlands to send last of pledged 24 F-16s to Ukraine on May 26 (26 May 2025)24 Dutch F-16s completed; pledges Denmark 19, Belgium 30, Norway at least 6.
- Kyiv Independent: Norway to complete F-16 deliveries to Ukraine by end of 2025, minister says (15 May 2025)Some Norwegian jets transferred; numbers withheld.
- Kyiv Independent: Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands announce new military aid, F-16s for Ukraine (18 June 2026)Seven Belgian F-16s by end of 2026, three operational and four for parts.
- Kyiv Independent: Belgium to transfer 3 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by end of 2026, Zelensky says (29 September 2026)Up to 39 F-16s in Ukraine as of June 2026 after combat losses (estimate).
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian F-16 pilot Pavlo Ivanov killed during combat mission (12 April 2025)Air Force statement; second F-16 pilot killed.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine ‘lost contact’ with F-16 during combat, pilot ejected, Air Force says (16 May 2025)Third F-16 lost; pilot safe.
- Kyiv Independent: F-16 pilot killed during Russia’s overnight massive air attack, Air Force says (29 June 2025)Lt Col Maksym Ustymenko; seven targets claimed; attack of 477 drones and 60 missiles per the Air Force.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian F-16 crashes during combat mission, pilot ejects safely (29 July 2026)In-flight emergency; cause under investigation.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine war latest – First French Mirage fighter jets arrive in Ukraine (6 February 2025)Lecornu announces first Mirage 2000-5s with pilots trained in France; first Dutch F-16s the same day.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine loses French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet to reported technical failure (23 July 2025)Loss on 22 July 2025; pilot ejected.
- Kyiv Independent: Up to 150 Gripens – Ukraine, Sweden move toward long-term deal (22 October 2025)Letter of intent at Linköping for 100–150 Gripen Es.
- Kyiv Independent: Don’t get too excited about Ukraine’s big Rafale fighter jet deal just yet (23 November 2025)Rafale F4 letter of intent, 17 November 2025, up to 100 by 2035; memorandums, not contracts.
- Kyiv Independent: Sweden announces 16 Gripens for Ukraine (28 May 2026)16 used Gripen C/Ds from early 2027; up to 20 Gripen Es; 2.5 billion euros from the EU loan.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine signs deal with Sweden to purchase 16 Gripen E fighter jets (30 June 2026)16 Gripen Es signed; C/Ds expected early 2027.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian pilots arrive in Romania for F-16 training (13 September 2024)F-16 training in Romania (headline and date from the tag listing).
- Kyiv Independent: Moscow confirms A-50 aircraft was shot down by Ukraine (18 June 2024)Russian Investigative Committee warrant of 17 June 2024 on the 23 February 2024 A-50; Ukrainian claim of 14 January 2024.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian Su-24 bomber crashes in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, killing pilots, Air Force confirms (16 June 2026)Crash on a combat mission; both crew killed.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet crashes during combat mission in Odesa, pilot safe (10 August 2026)Fire during a missile launch; pilot ejected. An earlier MiG-29 crash on 27 June 2026 appears in the Air Force tag listing.
- Kyiv Independent: ‘Another Russian air terrorist eliminated’ – Ukraine downs Su-35 (8 July 2026)Air Force claim; no Russian confirmation.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine intercepted 29 out of 195 Russian ballistic missiles in July (7 August 2026)Ministry of Defence figures: 29/195 ballistic, 187/265 cruise, 8,653 drones detected, 5,142 intercepted.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukraine’s Air Force faces backlash over decision to stop publishing Russian ballistic missile figures (13 August 2026)Last daily figures 8 August 2026; Ihnat’s explanation; monthly totals continue.
- Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian pilots ‘forced to take risks’ as Russian jet-powered drones strain missile supplies (10 September 2026)Ihnat: pilots use cannon; about 1,500 jet drones in July and 2,800 in August 2026.
- Kyiv Independent: Trump made ‘final decision’ on granting Ukraine Patriot licenses, Zelensky says (25 September 2026)Licence to produce Patriot missiles; no timing; White House had not commented.
- Airport completely destroyed due to missile attacks by invader in Vasylkiv, Kyiv region – mayor (Interfax-Ukraine, 12 March 2022)Mayor Natalia Balasynovych’s statement, quoted verbatim.
- Bulk plant in Vasylkiv, gas pipeline in Kharkiv …: the night in Ukraine on February 27 (Militarnyi, 27 February 2022)Missile strike on the Kriachky oil depot.
- Air Force discloses the names of three pilots killed in the sky over the Zhytomyr region (Militarnyi, August 2023)L-39 collision of 25 August 2023; names from the Air Force.
- "Ghosts of Kyiv" strike Russian military facility in Russian Bryansk Oblast (Militarnyi, 28 February 2025)Refers to the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade "Ghost of Kyiv".
- Guardians of Kyiv: inside Ukraine’s 40th BrTA (Key Aero, Babak Taghvaee)MiG-29 9.13 armament; no damage at Vasylkiv from the first strikes of 24 February 2022 (introductory text only; full article paywalled).
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Figures verified 2026-09-30. Order of Battle pages are regenerated from a single dataset; if a number here disagrees with a Book of Beasts page, this page is the more recent of the two.
Photographs: Photo: Ukrainian Air Force / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) · Photo (MiG-29 shown): Oleg V. Belyakov – AirTeamImages / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Andrej-airliner / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: Eugene Dmitriyenko / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: Original uploader was Dima Sergienko at en.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) · Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Photo (Yak-52 in civil markings shown): Aeroprints.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: bomberpilot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Photo: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) · Photo: parfaits / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Oleg V. Belyakov – AirTeamImages / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Ronnie Macdonald / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) · Photo (MiG-23 in a museum shown): Anna Zvereva / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Photo (MiG-27 in a museum shown): Aeroprints.com / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo: Clemens Vasters from Viersen, Germany, Germany / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) · Photo (Su-17 in a museum shown): George Chernilevsky / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo (Tu-22 in a museum shown): Oleg V. Belyakov – AirTeamImages / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo (Tu-16 in a museum shown): parfaits / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo (Tu-134 shown): VargaA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Photo: George Chernilevsky / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)