Why The Russian Air Force Fighter Fleet May Be Down 25% Since Ukraine Invasion

In March 2024, Defense News ran an article saying that the Russian Air Force (VKS) could be down to less than 75% of its prewar strength. Still, the Russian Air Force is still large and powerful (e.g., it just launched perhaps the largest stand-off missile strike in history). While guesswork and uncertainty abound, some things are certain: the Russian Air Force has failed to secure air superiority over Ukraine beyond the front line, and in the last few years, almost no one has purchased Russian fighter jets.