"Fighting with a Death Wish" Ukrainian Pilots Stop Russian New Fighter Jets with Soviet Aircraft

US War Research Institute Expresses Surprise
"Russia's Air Superiority Failure, Inexplicable"
Old Soviet Missiles and Fighters Play Active Role
Pilots' 'Fight to the Death' Spirit Also Key Factor

MiG-29 fighter jet. Not directly related to specific expressions in the article.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The Russian military, which has been invading Ukraine for four weeks, is still reported to have not secured air superiority. This is because the Ukrainian forces are driving away Russia's latest fighter jets with armed Soviet-era fighter jets and air defense missiles. It is also reported that the determination of Ukrainian pilots, who are risking their lives to counter the Russian forces, has played an important role.

According to the US media outlet The New York Times (NYT), the current daily sorties of the Russian Air Force reach an average of 200 flights. In contrast, Ukraine conducts 5 to 10 sorties per day. The gap in air power between the two countries is more than tenfold, with Russia having about 600 aircraft and Ukraine about 55.

Despite this difference in strength, the Russian military is still reported to have not declared 'air superiority' across Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military, since the start of the conflict, Ukraine has shot down 97 Russian aircraft.

In modern warfare, where the organic integration of air power and ground forces is emphasized, air superiority is considered an essential factor in gaining the initiative in war. Although definitions vary slightly depending on the military, air superiority generally means 'a state in which operations can be conducted in the air without encountering threats.'

◆Ukrainian Air Resistance Surpasses Military Experts' Expectations

Initially, Western military experts predicted that the Russian military would dominate Ukraine's skies within 2 to 3 days after the outbreak of war. However, contrary to expectations, the Ukrainian Air Force's continued resistance has surprised experts. On the 5th, the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) admitted in its daily report, "Russia's failure to achieve air superiority is very surprising," and "ISW currently cannot provide any explanation for this." This means Ukraine's successful struggle was completely unexpected.

On the 6th (local time), Ukrainian security personnel investigating the debris of destroyed weapons. / Photo by Yonhap News

In particular, most of the Ukrainian Air Force's equipment was made during the Soviet era. The Su-27, produced in the 1980s, is a representative example. In contrast, Russia is armed with the latest modern aircraft such as the Su-30/35.

Regarding this, the Ukrainian side explained that their air defense system is still functioning properly, allowing them to intercept Russian aircraft. Yuri Inat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, told the NYT, "Enemy forces flying into our airspace are essentially entering our air defense system," and "Because we are operating over our territory, Ukraine has effectively responded in the air." It is also reported that Western-made shoulder-fired air defense missiles sent by the US and Europe have been a great help.

◆"We Undertake Missions with the Determination That It Could Be Our Last" ? Ukrainian Pilots' 'Fight to the Death'

Another variable is said to be the excellent piloting skills and fighting spirit of Ukrainian pilots.

According to the NYT, dogfights between fighter jets of both sides are currently taking place over Ukrainian airspace. This is not a method of detecting enemies from afar via radar and firing missiles, but a combat style where pilots chase and engage enemies visually within sight range. For pilots flying decades-old fighter jets, this involves enormous risk.

A Ukrainian pilot in his 20s flying a Su-27 explained to the NYT, "We sortie every night without knowing what orders we might receive. We are always surrounded by five times as many enemies," and "We deliberately lure Russian fighters into rugged terrain like canyons to make them burn fuel quickly."

He also said, "Sometimes we waited until headquarters said 'the enemy fired a missile,' then visually spotted and targeted the enemy."

Due to this dangerous combat style, Ukrainian pilots are also losing their lives. The pilot emphasized, "Many of my more skilled comrades have already died," and "We always sortie with the mindset that this could be our last mission."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.