Ukrainian Losses Mount: Key Fighters Critical
- The su-27,once Ukraine's most capable fighter jet,is facing increasing losses in the ongoing conflict with Russia,with no readily available replacements from allied nations.
- The Ukrainian air Force is experiencing meaningful attrition of its Su-27 fighter jet fleet.
- Unlike other fighter jets Ukraine operates (MiG-29,F-16,Mirage),the Su-27 is unique in that no allied nations have available aircraft for donation.
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Ukraine’s su-27 Fighter Jets: A Critical Asset Under threat
Table of Contents
The su-27,once Ukraine’s most capable fighter jet,is facing increasing losses in the ongoing conflict with Russia,with no readily available replacements from allied nations.
What Happened?
The Ukrainian air Force is experiencing meaningful attrition of its Su-27 fighter jet fleet. As of early December 2023, Russia has reportedly shot down nineteen Su-27s since the start of the full-scale invasion, accelerating their depletion. this is particularly concerning as no allied countries currently possess Su-27s available for donation to Ukraine.
Video showing a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet. | Video: Youtube/RIAT
Why the Su-27 Matters
Unlike other fighter jets Ukraine operates (MiG-29,F-16,Mirage),the Su-27 is unique in that no allied nations have available aircraft for donation. This makes replenishing the fleet exceptionally difficult.The Su-27 is considered one of the most useful combat aircraft available to Ukraine, known for its speed, agility, and versatility.Its loss significantly impacts Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
Historical Context & Fleet Size
Ukraine inherited 74 Su-27s when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. By 2016, estimates suggested around 57 Su-27s remained in Ukrainian service, though the number in active service was only 24 in 2014. The 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea prompted Kyiv to attempt to reactivate stored Su-27s, potentially bringing the total number to around three dozen.
However, the number of repairable aircraft is significantly smaller than the reserves of MiG-29s available for potential refurbishment. While several MiG-29s are in storage across Europe, finding suitable Su-27s for repair is proving challenging.
The Current Situation & Challenges
The Ukrainian Air Force currently relies on four types of fighter jets. The Su-27 is now