Russian Air Force Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Russian Air Force
Военно-воздушные силы России Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii
Russian Air Force emblem
Active	7 May 1992 (1992-05-07)
Country	Russia
Type	Air force
Size	148,000 personnel (2018) 3,200+ aircraft
Part of	Russian Aerospace Forces
Headquarters	Moscow, Russia
March	"Air March" (Russian: "Авиамарш")
Anniversaries	12 August
Engagements	First Chechen War War of Dagestan Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Syrian Civil War
Commanders
Chief of the General Staff	Valery Gerasimov
Commander of the Aerospace Forces	Sergei Surovikin
Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force	Andrey Yudin
Insignia
Roundel
Roundel (1991–2010)
Flag
Aircraft flown
Attack	Su-25SM, Su-24M, Su-34
Bomber	MiG-31K, Tu-22M3, Tu-95, Tu-160
Electronic warfare	A-50/A-50U, Il-22PP, Il-80
Fighter	MiG-29, MiG-35, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, Su-57
Helicopter	Ka-60, Mi-8, Mi-17, Mi-26
Attack helicopter	Mi-24/Mi-35M, Mi-28N, Ka-50, Ka-52
Interceptor	MiG-31
Trainer	Aero L-39 Albatros, Yak-130
Transport	Il-76, Il-112, An-26, An-124, An-140, An-148
Tanker	Il-78

The Russian Air Force is a part of the Russian Aerospace Forces. This larger group was created in 2015. It brought together the Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces.

The modern Russian Air Force started on May 7, 1992. This happened after Boris Yeltsin created the Ministry of Defence. However, its history goes back much further. It follows the traditions of the Imperial Russian Air Service (1912–1917) and the Soviet Air Forces (1918–1991).

The Russian Navy also has its own aircraft. This is called the Russian Naval Aviation. It used to be known as the Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno-morskogo Flota.

The Russian Air Force is the air branch of the Russian Military. It is the second largest air force in the world. Only the United States Air Force is bigger. It is also one of the few air forces that uses modern strategic bombers.

History of the Russian Air Force
Aircraft and Missions
Images for kids
See also

History of the Russian Air Force

During the Cold War, the Soviet Air Force was very strong. It was as powerful as the United States Air Force. But after the Soviet Union broke apart, the Russian Air Force became much smaller. Russia did not have enough money to keep all its aircraft and personnel.

However, in the early 2000s, Russia started spending more money on its Air Force. This helped it to grow and modernize again.

Aircraft and Missions

The Russian Air Force uses many different types of aircraft. These planes and helicopters perform various important jobs.

Fighter and Attack Aircraft

Fighter jets like the MiG-29, Su-27, and Su-57 protect the skies. They are designed to fight other aircraft.
Attack aircraft such as the Su-25SM and Su-34 are used to attack targets on the ground.

Bombers and Transport Planes

Bombers like the Tu-95 and Tu-160 can carry bombs over long distances. They are used for strategic missions.
Transport planes such as the Il-76 carry troops and supplies. They are very important for moving things quickly.