Ukrainian Air Force
| Ukrainian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Повітряні сили Збройних сил України | |
Emblem of the Ukrainian Air Force | |
| Active | 1917–1921 1992–present |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 35,000 (2022) 207 aircraft (2021) |
| Part of | Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Headquarters | Vinnytsia |
| Anniversaries | Air Force Day (the first Sunday of August) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko |
| Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force | Chief Master Sergeant Kostiantyn Stanislavchuk |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash | |
| Flag | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Su-24M, Su-25 |
| Fighter | MiG-29, Su-27, F-16, Mirage 2000 |
| Helicopter | Mi-8T, Mi-17 |
| Reconnaissance | An-30, Su-24MR, Bayraktar TB2, RQ-11 |
| Trainer | Aero L-39 |
| Transport | An-24, An-26B, An-30, An-70 |
The Ukrainian Air Force (Ukrainian: Повітряні сили Збройних сил України, romanized: Povitryani syly Zbroynykh syl Ukrayiny, PS ZSU) is the air force of Ukraine and one of the eight branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU). Its current form was created in 2004 by merging the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces into the Air Force.
When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, many aircraft were left in Ukrainian territory. After Ukrainian independence in 1991, the air force suffered from chronic under-investment, leading to the bulk of its inventory becoming mothballed or otherwise inoperable. However its domestic defense industry Ukroboronprom and its Antonov subsidiary are able to maintain its older aircraft.
The Ukrainian Air Force participated in the war in Donbas. Following the 2014 ceasefire, the air force was suspended from carrying out missions in the areas of Donbas. Since February 2022, the Air Force has been engaged in constant combat operations in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The air force flies F-16, Mirage 2000, and Soviet-made aircraft.