Ukrainian pilot "Viking" recounts 40km trek to combat duty
The Ukrainian Army Inform service shared the story of a Su-27 fighter pilot known by the pseudonym "Viking," a member of one of Ukraine's tactical air brigades. In a YouTube video, the pilot discussed, among other topics, the start of the conflict with Russia and how he had to walk approximately 40 kilometres to reach his fighter jet.
"Viking" expressed his anxiety about potentially "missing the war." When it began, he was at an aviation health complex. After completing the necessary paperwork, he travelled to Zhytomyr, where his unit's fighters were taking off. This journey proved challenging due to heavy road congestion and limited public transport. Starting from Kyiv, "Viking" decided not to waste time and walked the final stretch to the base, covering roughly 40 to 45 kilometres.
The Ukrainian pilot shared his experiences
He recounted arriving in Zhytomyr and starting combat missions by morning. The first flights targeted the Kyiv region, initially during the day and later at night. At the time, he didn’t fully realize it was war. "Viking" explained that the early stages of the conflict were particularly challenging for pilots, with aerial operations largely centred on deterrence. Without an air defence system, they could not defend the front line independently. Russian aircraft, including Su-34s and Su-35s, repeatedly attempted to penetrate the area at extremely low altitudes during the night.
The Su-27 pilot explained that their targeting systems and missiles were outdated by two generations. He emphasized that they successfully prevented Russian aviation from entering and operating freely, which would have drastically altered the situation. Despite their limited range, the pilots did what they could—launching missiles and fending off attacks nightly. He noted that nearly every pilot participated in two or even three intense air battles each night, with each engagement lasting around 90 minutes.
Ukrainian Su-27
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation Soviet fighter jet designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau to respond to the American F-15 Eagle. Its primary role was to achieve air superiority. The aircraft is 22 metres long, has a wingspan of 15 metres, and stands 6 metres high. It is powered by two AL-31F engines, reaching a maximum speed of 2.35 Mach, or about 2,500 kilometres per hour. The operational ceiling of the aircraft is 18,500 metres, and its range without additional fuel tanks is approximately 3,500 kilometres.
The Su-27 is armed with a 30 mm cannon carrying 150 rounds and up to 10 hardpoints for various air-to-air missiles, including the R-27R1 (ER1), R-27T1 (ET1), and R-73E. The aircraft can also have unguided rockets and bombs weighing between 100 and 500 kilograms.
The Ukrainian Air Force has Su-27 fighters in its fleet, which are actively utilized to defend the country. These fighter jets are key in intercepting and destroying enemy aerial targets like aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. With assistance from Western countries, Ukrainian Su-27s have been outfitted with modern weaponry, such as American AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, enhancing their capability against Russian radar and air defence systems.
