Russian Knights

Russian Knights
Russianknights1991 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Unit name	Russian Knights
Caption	The team in formation with Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft.
Dates	5 April 1991 – present
Country	Russia
Branch	Russian Air Force
Type	Aerobatic team
Role	Aerobatic flight and public relations
Size	6 pilots
Garrison	Kubinka Air Base
Aircraft fighter	Sukhoi Su-27, Sukhoi Su-30SM, Sukhoi Su-35S

Russian Knights. The Russian Knights are the official aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force, established in 1991. Renowned for flying heavy fighter aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-27, they are one of the few teams globally to perform with such large, powerful jets. Based at Kubinka Air Base near Moscow, the team is celebrated for its precise, dynamic formations and complex maneuvers, serving as a prominent symbol of Russian military aviation prowess.

History

The team was officially formed on 5 April 1991, under the command of Vladimir Basov, within the 237th Guards Aircraft Demonstration Centre at Kubinka Air Base. Their first public performance was at the 1991 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, where they immediately garnered international attention. Throughout the 1990s, they performed extensively across Europe and Asia, including notable appearances at the Royal International Air Tattoo in the United Kingdom. The team's operations and public profile were significantly impacted by the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but they continued as a key unit of the new Russian Air Force. Under later commanders like Alexander Gostev and Igor Tkachenko, they modernized their fleet and maintained a rigorous training schedule, performing at major national events such as the Moscow Victory Day Parade.

Aircraft and equipment

The Russian Knights are most famously associated with the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker, a heavy, twin-engine air superiority fighter, which they have flown since their inception. Their aircraft are distinctively painted in blue and white with a red star motif, and they do not use smoke systems, relying instead on the natural condensation trails from their high-performance maneuvers. In the 2010s, the team began transitioning to more modern variants, incorporating the Sukhoi Su-30SM and the Sukhoi Su-35S into their inventory. These aircraft, sourced from operational units of the Russian Aerospace Forces, are maintained by the technical staff of the 237th Guards Aircraft Demonstration Centre and are capable of being returned to combat duty if required.

Display routine and notable performances

A typical display involves a formation of four to six aircraft executing tight formations, opposition passes, and solo maneuvers that showcase the extreme agility of the Sukhoi Su-27 family. Signature maneuvers include the "Cobra", the "Bell", and the "Tailslide", often performed in a diamond or echelon formation. They have performed at countless international airshows, including MAKS Airshow in Zhukovsky, the Berlin Air Show, and the Singapore Airshow. A historic joint performance with the Russian Air Force's other premier team, the Swifts, using a combined ten aircraft, was a highlight of the 2004 Moscow Victory Day Parade celebrations. Their routines are often synchronized to patriotic music, enhancing their role in public demonstrations for the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Accidents and incidents

The team has suffered several tragic accidents. On 12 December 1995, while returning from an airshow in Malaysia, a formation flight encountered poor weather near Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam; one Sukhoi Su-27 collided with an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft, resulting in the loss of both aircraft and the deaths of all four Knights pilots and several support personnel. Another major accident occurred on 16 August 2009 during training at Kubinka Air Base, when two Sukhoi Su-27 aircraft collided in mid-air; the team leader, Igor Tkachenko, was killed, and another pilot ejected safely. These incidents led to temporary groundings and thorough reviews of training and safety procedures by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

See also

* Swifts (aerobatic team) * Russian Aerospace Forces * Sukhoi Su-27 * Kubinka Air Base * Aerobatics

Category:Aerobatic teams Category:Russian Air Force