The Kremlin has deployed MiG-35 multirole fighters over Moscow in response to an escalating wave of Ukrainian kamikaze drone attacks. This marks the first operational use of the MiG-35 “Fulcrum Foxtrot” in direct defence of the Russian capital, signaling its transition from a largely dormant airframe to a frontline asset within Russia’s aerospace forces.
The decision follows a surge in Ukrainian UAV incursions targeting high-value infrastructure and symbolic state nodes, forcing Russia to bolster its domestic air security. According to ANNA News, several MiG-35s have conducted continuous combat air patrols (CAPs) over the Moscow Military District in recent days. These patrols are part of a broader doctrine shift integrating high-agility fighters into homeland defence operations.
“Several kamikaze drones were successfully shot down with their assistance,” reported ANNA News, underscoring the MiG-35’s growing role within the Russian Federation’s layered air defence framework. The appearance of these fighters over Moscow represents a tactical escalation amid ongoing drone warfare.
This development aligns with the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, an event marked by military parades and heightened nationalistic display. The drone threat during such a symbolic period has intensified pressure on Russian defence planners to demonstrate control over their own airspace. Notably, despite a dense network of Pantsir-S1 and S-400 systems, several drones breached Russian airspace, raising questions about the robustness of traditional missile-based defence solutions.
One notable incident occurred in Saransk, Mordovia, where drones reportedly struck a strategic fibre optics plant. This attack highlighted the vulnerabilities of Russia’s industrial rear and triggered immediate reassessments within the Ministry of Defence.
The MiG-35, a 4++ generation fighter, was previously limited to evaluation and training duties, with little presence in the active theatre. The aircraft’s reactivation is believed to reflect broader shifts in Russia’s air warfare strategy, which increasingly values survivable, agile, and fast-reacting platforms capable of countering dispersed aerial threats.
Russian defence authorities reported intercepting over 500 drones in just 48 hours, reflecting the tempo and persistence of Ukraine’s asymmetric campaign. These include a mix of commercial off-the-shelf UAVs and military-grade systems, adapted for long-range strikes on Russian soil. The scale of these attacks has strained conventional air defence systems, which are typically optimized for ballistic and manned aerial threats.
Parallel to its deployment, Russian media confirmed that the MiG-35 has completed final state trials, potentially paving the way for mass production. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has reportedly prepared production lines for full-scale manufacturing, pending formal procurement orders from the Kremlin. Last year, UAC CEO Yuri Slyusar described 2024 as the “target year” for initiating serial production.
Initially conceptualized as an export-oriented platform, the MiG-35 is now seen as a necessary “gap-filler” between aging Soviet-era fighters and the forthcoming Su-75 Checkmate stealth aircraft. With high attrition in the Ukrainian theatre, the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF) are facing a critical shortage of viable tactical jets, making the MiG-35 a timely stopgap to stabilize combat readiness.
Sources indicate that the MiG-35 has already seen limited operational testing in Ukraine, possibly in a dual role: live combat evaluation and data gathering for further platform refinement. Senior UAC figure Sergey Korotkov confirmed to RIA Novosti that the aircraft was involved in active missions in Ukraine. “Further extended flight trials will be conducted,” he stated, pending a final decision by the Ministry of Defence.
Although international interest in the MiG-35 has been muted compared to the Su-35 or Su-57, its upgraded systems and multirole flexibility may yet attract foreign buyers, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Its avionics suite, radar, and weapons compatibility allow it to match many Western 4.5 generation fighters at a potentially lower cost.
At the heart of the MiG-35 is the ZHUK-AM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, offering a detection range of up to 220 km and the ability to track multiple targets simultaneously. Russian analysts claim the radar can detect stealth aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor at distances of up to 80 km, depending on angle and environmental factors.
The MiG-35 is powered by two Klimov RD-33MK engines, offering a top speed of Mach 2.25 and a service ceiling of 67,000 feet. Its agility and thrust-to-weight ratio make it highly suitable for both dogfighting and rapid intercept missions, an advantage in scenarios involving fast, low-signature drone threats.
The fighter can carry up to 6.5 tonnes of munitions across nine hardpoints. These include air-to-air missiles like the R-77 and R-73, air-to-surface munitions such as the Kh-29 and Kh-31, and guided bombs including the KAB-500. Its compatibility with Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles also grants it a strategic role in SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) missions.
Of particular importance is the MiG-35’s potential to integrate with Russia’s network-centric warfare systems. Its digital open-architecture avionics allow real-time battlefield data sharing, electronic warfare (EW) functions, and compatibility with both legacy and next-gen Russian munitions.
This network capability is seen as vital for countering dispersed, low-cost aerial attacks that are hard to detect and neutralize using traditional radar-guided interceptors alone. In this sense, the MiG-35 functions not just as an interceptor, but as a node within a broader air defence mesh.
The drone strikes on Moscow and key cities have forced a doctrinal pivot. Instead of solely relying on SAMs and EW systems, the Russian military is now incorporating manned air patrols to provide dynamic, flexible response options. This reflects lessons learned from modern conflicts, where unmanned systems have reshaped the aerial threat landscape.
Russian analysts argue that the MiG-35’s operational use over Moscow is a strategic messaging tool as well. Its visible deployment showcases Russian resolve to safeguard critical urban and industrial centers. More than a technical decision, this is also political theatre meant to reassure the population and deter adversaries.
The MiG-35’s re-emergence marks a pivot in Russian military thinking. No longer a sidelined prototype, it is now being positioned as a critical asset in the ongoing drone war that is increasingly being fought not just over trenches in Donbas, but over the skies of Moscow itself. While its full combat effectiveness remains to be tested under prolonged high-intensity conditions, its presence alone signifies an evolution in how the Kremlin perceives and counters aerial threats in the modern era.
With full-scale production on the horizon and operational integration underway, the MiG-35 may yet find its place not only in Russia’s arsenal but also in the broader geopolitical theatre where airpower is once again redefining national security.
