On August 12, Russia marked Air Force Day. The Air Force was formed from parts of the former Soviet Air Forces after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991-92. All photos by Vadim Savitsky
Currently the Russian Air Force operates a total of 61 air bases. This includes 26 air bases with tactical aircraft, of which 14 are equipped with fighter aircraft. (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the oldCzarist crown and Double-headed eagle. The Russian Air Force is an independent organisation. The Russian Air Force follows the same rank structure as theRussian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officers' and NCO rank (that title has been non-existent since the 1990s). (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
In 2009 the Russian Air Forces' structure was completely changed to a command-air base structure from the previous structure of air army-air division or corps-air regiment. (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
As of 15 August 2010, the Russian Air Force temporarily grounded its fleet of Su-25 ground attack aircraft to conduct an investigation into a crash that happened during a training mission. (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
By August 2010, according to the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force Aleksandr Zelin, the average flight hours of a pilot in Russian tactical aviation had reached 80 hours a year, while in army aviation and military transport aviation it exceeded 100 hours a year (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
In July 2010, Russian jet fighters made the first nonstop flights from European Russia to the Russian Far East (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
There has recently been discussion over changing the Soviet red star insignia on aircraft. In March 2010, a new roundel was proposed in the State Duma, adding an outline of blue, to reflect all three colours of the national flag. While this proposal was rejected in the Federation Council, pictures exist showing some aircraft have had the three-colour insignia applied (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
A number of Russian aviation companies have been attempting to develop advanced fighter aircraft to replace the large number of aging MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft in service (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
The Sukhoi PAK FA - Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces - has been under development since 2002. The first prototype made its initial flight on 29 January 2010 (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
On 18 August 2009, the Russian Government signed a contract for 48 Su-35BM, 4 Su-30M2 and 12 Su-27SM's at the MAKS-2009 air show (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)
On 5 June 2009, the Chief of the General Staff, Nikolai Makarov said of the Russian Air Force that "They can run bombing missions only in daytime with the sun shining, but they miss their targets anyway" (All photos by Vadim Savitsky)