Fighting in the Air During the Russia’s War Against Ukraine: A Summary of the First Months

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to generalize and systematize the experience gained in the use of aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russia during the Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022.

The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, multifactorial and comprehensive analysis, as well as on the modern conceptual and categorical apparatus used by military history in describing the process of armed struggle. System and structural methods are used.

Scientific novelty. In disclosing the topical issue, which was first the subject of military history research, the authors on the basis of current documents, including analytical materials, some of which are first put into scientific circulation, and published sources analyzed the main forms of aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russia during the first three months of the Russia’s war against Ukraine. Data on the quantitative and qualitative ratio of forces of the parties at the beginning of the war are given. The actions of aviation during the performance of its inherent strategic tasks are highlighted, the methods of its combat and operational application are revealed. Particular attention is paid to the peculiarities of the task of the first massive missile and air strike on targets on the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy’s actions are revealed.

The authors summarized the data on the losses of Russian aircraft during a certain period, analyzed their causes. The conclusions determine the degree of aviation of both sides of strategic tasks, determine the state of development of their martial arts and prospects for further use of aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russia’s war against Ukraine, outline possible areas of further military history research.