1/In a new Russian MoD clip a Su-35S pilot discusses how VKS fighters conduct patrols at high levels in a risk-averse manner, relying on superior FCR systems & AAMs to engage Ukr aircraft from standoff ranges that allow them to remain outside the engagement zones of Ukr SAMs.🧵👇
2/ The pilot - Zveno (Flight) Commander "Klim" - describes an encounter involving VKS Su-35Ss (including himself) and three Ukrainian aircraft:
"From the other side, there was a pair of Su-25s and one MiG-29. [We] detected them at a distance of 200 km. Tracked, waited for...
3/ a convenient moment... when they will go on the combat course for the attack. [We] accelerated. Our advantage in altitude - advantage in engagement range. 'Worked' [(launched missiles)], illuminated the target - everything as it needs to be. Didn't enter the air defense zone."
4/ According to Klim, "later, the contacts disappeared, which was confirmed by reconnaissance [(surveillance)] - two aircraft were destroyed, while the covering fighter left the escort zone."
5/In another recent Russian MoD clip, a different Su-35S pilot - callsign "Peresvet" - describes another similar encounter, this time with a single Ukrainian aircraft:
"With the aid of [my] onboard radar station, [I] detected an aerial enemy. Reported [it] to the command post...
6/ Executed acquisition, climb, acceleration and closure with the target. The airborne command post likewise confirmed the target, and, after authorization to attack, I executed the launch of a guided, long-range air-to-air missile."
7/ Peresvet then goes on to claim that "the target did not maneuver following the launch, meaning the launch was not detected. [I] carried out illumination of the target until the symbol disappeared from the indicator [(HUD)]. The airborne command post confirmed the...
8/ destruction of the target. Subsequently, [I] resumed the patrol. Didn't observe additional targets in the area."
It is not entirely clear which "long-range AAM" Peresvet was referring to in his account; however...
9/ VKS Su-35Ss have been launching R-77-1 medium-range AAMs and, more recently, also R-37M long-range AAMs against Ukrainian aircraft from standoff ranges. Peresvet was therefore likely referring to the latter, though the former is also a possibility.
10/ On the note of the R-77-1, the same video in which Peresvet is interviewed also includes HUD footage from another (unrelated) mission flown by a Russian fighter that shows the launch of a R-77-1 against an aerial target.
11/ Below is a still from said HUD footage, which shows that the fighter launched an R-77-1 while flying at Mach 1.27 at an altitude of ~9,750m. The footage cuts off shortly after the launch. Also, the range scale has been blurred so we can't see how far away the target was.
12/ On a different note, as evident from Peresvet's account and from accounts by other VKS fighter pilots that were interviewed in earlier videos published by the Russian MoD, the rules of engagement have required VKS fighter pilots to request permission from a command post...
13/ to employ AAMs against aerial targets. While this procedure is meant to prevent fratricide, it also lengthens the targeting process.
14/14 Lastly, it's important to note that, while Russian fighters have been shooting down Ukrainian aircraft, it is not possible to independently verify the above mentioned kill claims. They should therefore be taken with a grain of salt.
Since someone asked about the type of guidance used in the R-37M (the same is true for the R-77-1):
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