ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the air war over Ukraine, illustrating the place of Ukrainian aviation in defending the skies during various stages of 2022. The questions of degrading Russian mass and technological advantages in the air fleet with the employment of Ukrainian layered air defences and dispersal and establishment of mutual air denial on the frontlines are discussed here. Russian long-range ballistic missile attack campaign against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure is also addressed here. Hence the chapter explains the initial aerial dogfights in the Battle of Kyiv, followed by the establishment of mutual air denial. The reasons why either side did not establish the air superiority are outlined. It also looks at force multiplication with the use of drones to boost critical mass of the UAF. In this regard, various UAV solutions and Ukrainian innovations are discussed. Also, electronic warfare means and anti-drone measures are explained here. Finally, the advantage of diversity in air defences is explained in terms of its role in multidomain assets across different altitudes. Various tactical adaptations in air domain are also explained.
