Air War in Ukraine
A Sukhoi Su-27 of the Ukrainian Air Force.
FPV Drones vs. Russian Aviation
Text: Miro Barič
During the observed period (March 1 to March 31), the war in Ukraine was overshadowed in the media by the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran. This does not mean that the fighting in Ukraine subsided—quite the opposite. The most intense activity was taking place in the air.
It appears that the Russian advance has nearly exhausted itself. Despite heavy losses in lives, Russian forces have made little progress. On the contrary, in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukrainian defenders have managed to push the occupiers back slightly.
Drones have played the biggest role in this stagnation, dominating the skies over the front line. Both Ukraine and Russia continue escalating the drone war, and in the past technological superiority has shifted between the two sides. At present, however, Ukraine has held the technological edge for some time. This is evident in both offensive and defensive operations.
For example, Ukraine shot down 33,000 Russian drones in March—a monthly record. This means that although Russia is deploying increasing numbers of unmanned systems, Ukraine is also becoming more effective at destroying them. A significant role is played by interceptors—fighter drones designed to destroy other drones. This is a relatively cheap technology compared to air defense missiles. The number of deployed interceptors and their effectiveness increases each month. Countries in the Persian Gulf, facing Iranian retaliatory strikes, have also shown interest in Ukrainian technologies. Kyiv has sent specialists to the Middle East and signed military cooperation agreements with several countries.
Interceptors have recently appeared in the armament of the Antonov An-28 aircraft. Its use against Russian drones has been reported multiple times. First mentioned in October last year, it already bore markings for 59 kills. By February this year, that number had nearly doubled to 117. The An-28 originally used the American M134 Minigun mounted in a side door to engage drones. Ground control had to guide the aircraft to areas where Russian drones were operating. Pilots then had to visually locate Shahed/Geran drones using night vision devices before engaging them.
An Antonov An-28 in an older image from October 2025.
Launch of a P1-SUN interceptor from a hardpoint under the wing of an Antonov An-28.
While the guidance method has not changed, recent footage shows the An-28 carrying six hardpoints for interceptors—three under each wing. According to Ukrainian sources, flights with this configuration have been underway for several months. These include P1-SUN interceptors from SkyFall, Sting drones from the Ukrainian company Dyki Sershni (“Wild Hornets”), and American Merops interceptors. This is a far cheaper method of destroying drones than using air-to-air missiles.
Ukraine’s offensive drone capabilities have also significantly increased. At the beginning of the year, small drones could operate up to 50 km from the front line. During the observed period, their range extended to 100 km, significantly disrupting Russian frontline logistics. Long-range drones can now strike targets at distances of 1,600–1,700 km, threatening both Russia’s economy and military bases deep in the rear.
A Sting interceptor attacking a Russian Shahed/Geran drone.
A Yakovlev Yak-52 fighting drones in a World War I-style manner.
The fall and subsequent explosion of a Russian drone. Note the camouflage on the wing of the Yakovlev Yak-52.
The ex-Czech Mil Mi-24 is also highly effective in combating drones.
A former Polish Mikoyan MiG-29 in Ukrainian service.
In the port of Novorossiysk, Ukrainian aerial drones struck several Russian ships on Monday, March 2. According to the Ukrainian security service (SBU), five vessels were damaged, including the frigate Admiral Essen, which now has a reduced capability to launch Kalibr missiles. Satellite imagery confirms hits on ships, including damage to at least one vessel’s command bridge and electronic systems, although the full extent of damage is unclear.
On the night of March 13–14, two ferries used to transport military supplies to the port of Kerch in Crimea were struck and damaged in the Black Sea.
On Tuesday, March 17, the 123rd aircraft repair plant in Staraya Russa, nearly 1,000 km from Ukraine’s borders, was hit. The facility repairs aircraft such as Il-76 transports and Beriev A-50 early warning aircraft. Three large holes appeared in the roof of a hangar used for Il-76 repairs, though it is unclear whether any aircraft were inside.
Toward the end of the period, the Leningrad Oblast also became a target. The oil terminal at Ust-Luga was struck multiple times, causing a major fire. In the shipyards of Vyborg, the patrol icebreaker Purga (Project 23550) was nearing completion. After a strike, the vessel listed to one side and partially sank.
Another notable incident occurred far from both Ukraine and Russia. In the Mediterranean Sea between Malta and Libya, the LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz—part of Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet—exploded and caught fire on March 3. It was likely hit by Ukrainian naval drones operating from the Libyan coast. Libya reportedly allowed a small Ukrainian unit to operate there in exchange for drone technology transfers. The burned-out wreck of the tanker remains afloat, drifting about 120 miles north of Benghazi, with multiple towing attempts having failed.
A former Polish Mikoyan MiG-29 in Ukrainian service.
Fire at a Russian oil terminal in the port of Ust-Luga.
The burned-out tanker Arctic Metagaz of Russia’s shadow fleet remained drifting in the Mediterranean Sea between Malta and Libya.
Russian losses
The first Russian loss in the observed period occurred on March 3 in Rostov Oblast during a Ukrainian drone attack. Russian air defenses accidentally shot down their own Mi-8 AMTSh helicopter, which had taken off to counter the drones. The aircraft crashed in flames, killing all three crew members, including Lieutenant Ruslan Yerkin and Lieutenant Ramzil Sadrtdinov.
On March 5, a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone spotted a Russian naval Ka-27PS helicopter landing on the Syvash oil platform in the Black Sea. An attack drone was then directed at it, destroying the helicopter.
On March 20, a Russian Kamov Ka-52 was hit mid-air by a Ukrainian FPV drone. Although such incidents have occurred before, they remain rare. Video footage suggests the drone was waiting for the helicopters—either tipped off in advance or exploiting predictable flight paths.
Footage from the attack on a Russian Kamov Ka-27 on the Syvash oil platform in the Black Sea.
The drone belonged to Ukraine’s 59th Assault Brigade. It initially failed to intercept the first Ka-52 but maneuvered directly into the path of a second one. The helicopter was hit near Kotliarivka, caught fire, and made an emergency landing near Nadiivka. The crew escaped but were later killed by additional FPV drones. They were identified as Captain Timur Gimranov and Lieutenant Ilya Kuzhlev of Russia’s 17th Army Aviation Brigade.
The next day, March 21, Russia lost another Ka-52 under unclear circumstances, though military bloggers suggested it was also hit by a drone. Both crew members ejected, but only one survived.
On March 31, Russian aviation suffered multiple losses. A Sukhoi Su-34 was lost under unclear circumstances—its pilot died, while the navigator reportedly survived.
Later, a Antonov An-26 crashed near Kuibyshevo in Crimea, possibly after colliding with terrain during a Ukrainian drone attack. All 29 people onboard were killed, including six crew members and 23 passengers—officers of Russia’s Northern Fleet from Murmansk, including Lieutenant General Alexander Otroshchenko and Colonel Igor Davydov.
A Kamov Ka-52 in an illustrative image from the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Footage from a Ukrainian FPV drone attack on a Russian Kamov Ka-52.
Ukrainian losses
Ukrainian forces also lost a helicopter to a drone strike. A Mil Mi-8 was destroyed at a field landing site near Mykhailivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Russia released footage of the strike on March 6, though it may have occurred earlier.
Another loss occurred on March 9, when a Sukhoi Su-27 failed to return from a combat mission. It was piloted by Colonel Oleksandr Dovhač, commander of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade. He had been in combat since the first day of Russia’s invasion and had flown hundreds of missions—attacking ground targets, shooting down drones and cruise missiles, and escorting strike aircraft.
He fought over Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Snake Island. Later, he became commander of the 39th Brigade and in 2025 was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine.
He completed his final mission—but at the cost of his life. Details are unclear, but according to the Air Force command, the mission took place under conditions of strong enemy air superiority and intense air defense activity, making it likely he was shot down. He was 52 years old.
Ukrainian Colonel Oleksandr Dovhač was killed when his Sukhoi Su-27 was shot down.