Two of Russia’s best MiG-29 fighter jets shot down by Ukrainian air defense systems

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Russian aviation and air defense shot down two Su-27s and a MiG-29

In just over 24 hours, Ukraine experienced significant losses in its air force, with two Su-27 fighters and one MiG-29 shot down. According to a press release from the Russian Ministry of Defense, these incidents occurred during dogfights and were overwhelmed by air defense systems between late September 14 and throughout September 15.

Photo credit: Yandex

Both the Su-27 heavy fighter and the MiG-29 medium fighter were developed by the Soviet Union, mimicking the high-low mix strategy of the U.S. F-15 and F-16 fighters. The Su-27 boasts a longer range, larger radar, and superior overall performance as an air superiority fighter. Back in the 1990s, Western tests showed that the Su-27 and MiG-29 outperformed their U.S. counterparts, with the Su-27 often hailed as the world’s top air-to-air fighter entering the 21st century.

However, the Su-27’s prominence as an air superiority fighter has waned in recent years. Considered nearly obsolete today, the aircraft has endured heavy losses against Russian forces since the full-scale conflict started in February 2022. The most significant air battle involving Su-27s on record happened on March 5, 2022, near Zhytomyr, where four of these fighters were downed.

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After the USSR

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Ukraine inherited a substantial share of the USSR’s military assets, including fighter jets such as the MiG-29 and the Su-27. These aircraft became part of Ukraine’s Air Force, thanks to the division of Soviet military equipment among former Soviet republics. Ukraine received about 220 MiG-29s and roughly 70 Su-27s, which were initially stationed at various Soviet bases on Ukrainian soil. These jets quickly became crucial elements of the newly independent nation’s air defense and military capabilities.

Fast forward to just before the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine’s Air Force was operating around 50 MiG-29s and approximately 26 Su-27s. The MiG lineup included models like the MiG-29MU1 and MiG-29MU2, while the Su-27 fleet consisted of models such as the Su-27S, Su-27P, and Su-27UB. Yet, the operational readiness of these aircraft was a mixed bag. Due to aging technology and limited resources for modernization, many of these jets required maintenance or upgrades.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

When the invasion occurred, only a portion of these fighters were fully operational. Years of insufficient funding and a lack of spare parts had taken a toll on Ukraine’s military infrastructure, including its air bases and maintenance facilities. Consequently, estimates indicate that only about half of the MiG-29s and Su-27s were combat-ready, with the remainder in various states of maintenance or disrepair.

The Su-27 for Ukraine

Losing Su-27s is a tough blow for Ukraine since these fighters offer unique air defense and interception capabilities that are hard to replace, even with modern Western jets like the F-16. The Su-27 is a heavyweight, long-range fighter that boasts superior speed [up to Mach 2.35], an extended operational range [3,530 km], and impressive high-altitude performance compared to the lighter F-16.

Photo credit: Pixabay

These characteristics make the Su-27 perfect for patrolling Ukraine’s expansive airspace and intercepting long-range Russian bombers or cruise missiles. Additionally, its powerful radar and heavy weapons loadout are specifically geared for air superiority in large, open combat zones, making it indispensable for countering Russia’s more advanced aircraft.

While the F-16 comes with modern avionics, versatility, and seamless integration with Western systems, it’s fundamentally a multirole aircraft and doesn’t directly replace the specialized air superiority role of the Su-27. The larger size of the Su-27 allows it to carry more fuel and weapons, making it better suited for extended operations far from its bases—a critical feature given Ukraine’s limited number of airfields under the threat of Russian missile strikes. Swapping Su-27s for F-16s would mean Ukraine sacrifices some strategic advantages of the Su-27’s longer range and heavy payload, even though the F-16 brings cutting-edge technology and interoperability.

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.

In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.

Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.

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