Ukrainian pilot's 40km trek to combat onslaught reveals grit
The Ukrainian Army Inform service presented the story of a Su-27 fighter pilot with the pseudonym "Viking," who is part of one of Ukraine's tactical air brigades. In a video published on YouTube, the pilot discussed the onset of the conflict with Russia and how he had to walk around 40 kilometres to reach his fighter jet.
"Viking" mentioned that he feared "missing the war." When it began, he was at an aviation health complex. After completing the necessary formalities, he headed to Zhytomyr, where the fighters from his unit were departing. However, this was not an easy task. The roads were congested, and public transport was largely unavailable. "Viking," who set off from Kyiv, decided not to waste time and walked the final stretch to the base, covering about 40 to 45 kilometres.
The Ukrainian pilot shared his experiences
He recounted arriving in Zhytomyr and beginning combat missions by the next morning. The initial flights targeted the Kyiv region, first during the day and later at night. At first, he didn’t fully grasp the reality of being in a war. "Viking" highlighted the difficulties pilots faced in the early days of the conflict, with aerial operations primarily centred on deterrence. He noted the lack of air defence systems then, leaving them as the sole defenders on the front line. At the same time, Russian aircraft, including Su-34s and Su-35s, repeatedly attempted to infiltrate at extremely low altitudes during the night.
The Su-27 pilot explained that their targeting systems and missiles were significantly outdated, lagging by two generations. He emphasized that they successfully prevented Russian aviation from entering and operating freely, which would have dramatically altered the situation. Despite the limited range of their takeoffs, the pilots made every effort, launching missiles and countering attacks nightly. He noted that nearly every pilot participated in two or even three-night air battles, each lasting around 90 minutes.
Ukrainian Su-27
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation Soviet fighter jet, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau as a response to the American F-15 Eagle. Its main task was to achieve air superiority. The aircraft measures approximately 22 metres in length, with a wingspan of about 15 metres, and a height of roughly 6 metres. It is powered by two AL-31F engines. The maximum speed of the Su-27 is 2.35 Mach, equivalent to approximately 2,495 kilometres per hour. The operational ceiling of this aircraft is 18,300 metres, and the range without additional fuel tanks is 3,530 kilometres.
The armament of the Su-27 includes a 30 mm cannon with 150 rounds and up to 10 hardpoints for carrying various air-to-air missiles, such as the R-27R1 (ER1), R-27T1 (ET1), and R-73E. The aircraft can also carry unguided rockets and bombs weighing between 100 and 500 kilograms.
The Ukrainian Air Force has Su-27 fighters in its arsenal, which are actively used in the country's defence. These fighter jets play a crucial role in intercepting and destroying enemy aerial targets, such as aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. With the support of Western countries, Ukrainian Su-27s have been integrated with modern weaponry, such as American AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, increasing their effectiveness in combating Russian radar and air defence systems.
