Russia’s once formidable air force has suffered catastrophic losses during its ongoing war in Ukraine, with at least 100 fixed-wing combat aircraft destroyed by Ukrainian forces, according to military analysts and Ukrainian defence officials. Since the beginning of the full invasion on 24 February 2022, Russia has reportedly lost over 370 military aircraft. These figures reflect the sheer scale of destruction that Moscow’s air fleet has endured after more than three years of full war.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed that the number of Russian jets destroyed has climbed sharply, severely limiting Russia’s ability to conduct sustained aerial offensives. Maya Carlin, national security writer and analyst at the Center for Security Policy, said the loss of airframes, tanks, munitions and vehicles by Russia highlights the depth of its depleted military capabilities. She noted that while Ukraine has also taken losses, Russia’s equipment attrition stands out due to the scale and technological decline of its hardware.
A particular focus has been on Russia’s fleet of Su-35 fighter jets, known as the Super Flanker. This twin-engine, highly manoeuvrable warplane designed by Sukhoi is considered one of Russia’s most advanced in active service. With twelve hardpoints for external weapons, the Su-35 is a heavy hitter in Moscow’s air power, but the destruction of many of these aircraft has weakened Russia’s offensive reach from the sky.
Despite bold claims by the Kremlin about its so-called fifth-generation MiG-35 Fulcrum-F jets, these aircraft have failed to live up to expectations. The MiG-35 was designed to feature advanced radar systems and a potent weapons load, including Kh-31P anti-radar and Kh-31A anti-ship missiles, but the platform has shown disappointing performance when compared with Western aircraft like the US-made F-35 Lightning II. While equipped with more durable RD-33MK engines, the MiG-35 falls short in power and stealth capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Soviet-era Su-27 remains one of the oldest yet most relied-upon aircraft in Russia’s current arsenal. Designed by Sukhoi, the Su-27 is seen as a trusted but outdated asset. However, its extended use reflects the growing challenges Russia faces in replenishing its more modern airframes.
Moscow’s prized Su-57, promoted by Kremlin officials as a cutting-edge fifth-generation fighter, has barely participated in the conflict. Last year, one of these jets was reportedly damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike, a likely reason for its limited use in the war. Despite boasting stealth and superior firepower, the Su-57 has not proven resilient against Kyiv’s precision drone capabilities.
Ukrainian military operations have increasingly targeted Russia’s airfields and advanced aircraft with highly effective drone attacks and surface-to-air missiles. As a result, the Kremlin’s ability to dominate Ukraine’s airspace has diminished drastically, undermining one of the few advantages Russia once held at the start of the invasion.
