✈️ Military Aviation in the Russia-Ukraine War

Military aviation has played a transformed role in the Russia-Ukraine war — not as the dominant force air campaigns suggested, but as a contested, adaptive domain reshaped by advanced air defenses and long-range drone strikes. This section covers the full scope of aviation in the conflict: Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 operations, Russian Su-35 and Su-57 deployments, glide bomb campaigns, helicopter close air support, and the historic delivery of F-16 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine. Explore the threat environment that prevents both sides from operating freely over contested territory, how SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) missions are conducted, and why the war has been so costly for rotary-wing aircraft. Coverage includes pilot training pipelines, aircraft attrition rates, the role of airborne early warning, and the aviation-drone integration challenge both sides face.