Ukraine inflicted an irreparable loss on Russia; Russians faced major problem with MiG-31 aircrafts

[Starmix]

According to the report, the aggressor country, Russia, is unable to produce new MiG-31K fighters, which are carriers of Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, so any losses are acute for it. This is what the military-analytical portal Defense Express, analyzing the Russian occupiers' capabilities in this type of aircraft against the background of the AFU General Staff's report on the attack on the Savasleika airfield. Recall, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on the night of June 9, 2025, the Special Operations Forces, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, struck the Savasleyka airfield and hit at least one MiG-31 and one Su-30/34. Analysts noted that during the war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation tried to build up the MiG-31K fleet. Thus, if at the beginning of 2022 the aggressor country had 12 airplanes of this type, according to some reports, in 2024 the Russian Federation could have up to 24 MiG-31K. In addition, Defense Express adds, it is also worth bearing in mind the information about the appearance of the Russians ' MiG-31I Ishim type aircraft.

The report also said that the Basis for building up the fleet of MiG-31K and MiG-31I Ishim could be some number of MiG-31s in storage, which as of 2018 was estimated at 130 to 150 aircraft. However, the publication emphasizes, it could predominantly serve as a "spare parts graveyard" to maintain a fleet of MiG-31B/BM interceptors. The Defense Express also recalled that serial production of MiG-31s stopped in 1993. A total of 500 such airplanes were produced, of which only 150 remain in service now. This demonstrates rather low "endurance" of MiG-31 in combination with Russian maintenance culture, analysts noted. A separate problem for the Russians is the D-30F6 engines used on the MiG-31. These engines have a service life of only 300 hours, and in 2014, representatives of the Russian military-industrial complex announced the accumulated stock of D-30F6 for 20-30 years. Then, in 2024, they started talking about the need to completely resume production of such power plants.

In addition, it said that based on current data from the Ministry of Defense's GUR, the Russian military-industrial complex currently produces about 10-15 Kinzhal missiles per month, with an accumulated stock of 100 units." From this military facility, in particular, regularly take off MiG-31K fighters, which are carriers of Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles," the General Staff noted. Preliminary data show that two units of enemy aircraft were hit at the airfield. They are likely to be MiG-31 and Su-30/34 airplanes.

Watch the report on the YouTube link.