Image source: topwar.ru
The Russian-made R-37 air-to-air missile poses a great danger to the flights of Ukrainian military aviation and significantly complicates any aerial maneuvers. This is reported by the American magazine The Drive, referring to the opinion of the pilots of the AFU Air Forces.
According to the Ukrainian pilots, the Russian missile is "very dangerous" because it has non-standard characteristics. In particular, the R-37M missile can shoot down an enemy aircraft at a distance of up to 300 kilometers.
Missiles of this type are launched from the sides of fighters that do not leave the airspace of Russia. This greatly facilitates the work of the Russian Aerospace Forces, since our pilots do not expose themselves to the risk of being shot down by Ukrainian air defense systems. At the same time, Ukrainian planes are turning into easily accessible targets for Russian fighters.
According to The Drive, due to the active use of such missiles by Russian aviation, the capabilities of the Ukrainian air forces were significantly limited. After all, pilots have to maneuver, and in this case they are actually deprived of the possibility of an air strike. If the pilot does not find out about the launch of the missile, he is almost one hundred percent likely to be shot down, Ukrainian aviation servicemen say.
Recall that the R-37 missile was developed back in the Soviet period and is still in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. Experts call it one of the longest–range guided air-to-air missiles in the world. It is used from MiG-31BM interceptor fighters, which are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
