Russia-Georgia War
- Thread starter mongolo_k
- Start date
LAWNMOWERMAN
New Member
based on media sources
GEORGIAN aircraft deployed
SU-25s
L-29s
MiL-8s
MiL-24s
a few UAVs supplied by ISRAELi
overall outcome
most aircraft were destroyed
RUSSIAN aircraft deployed
basically they had an whole arsenal to choose from but their main workhorses were
SU-24s
SU-25s
TU-22M3s
overall outcome
7 total aircraft lost
2 SU-24
6 SU-25; 3 by friendly fire - the other 3 unconfirmed
1 TU-22M3(TU-22MR) ; a GEORGIAN Buk-1M was credited for the downing but unconfirmed
Also Russian Mig-29s were used for both air superiority, and allegedly bombing. Su-27 were also used for air superiority missions. Su-24MR were used for recon flights, with allegedly one of the downed planes being an MR variant. Uncofirmed reports of Stroy-PD UAVs. Russian Mi-24 and Mi-8 were used for troop transport and CAS.
Allegedly some Su-25s from Georgia were destroyed on the ground but it's unconfirmed.
Finally the Abkhazians used L-39 for bombing runs in the Kodori Gorge.
Allegedly some Su-25s from Georgia were destroyed on the ground but it's unconfirmed.
Finally the Abkhazians used L-39 for bombing runs in the Kodori Gorge.
08' South Ossetia War Air Losses
The 08' South Ossetia war air assets were Su-25, L-39 and L-29 aircraft on the Georgian side and Su-27, MiG-29, Su-25, Su-24 and Tu-22 on the Russian side. The Georgians managed to launch sorties in the first few hours of conflict but that quickly ceased and alot of damage was inflicted on Georgian aircraft on the ground. The Russians seemed unprepared also and were heavily criticized for their performence and lack of air battlespace awareness and control. Certain assets, especially UAVs used for intelligence and SEAD missions were simply not part of the Russian order of battle so they had to rely on much more valuable aircraft to perform these dangerous missions. The reported air losses for the war vary, but are most likely around 16 planes and choppers on the Georgian side, both in the air and on the ground. Many remember the video of a Russian fighter shooting down a Georgian UAV during the outbreak of war. The Russian losses were 6 Su-25s, including 3 to friendly fire, 2 Su-24s and 1 Tu-22 bomber according to most sources. Since both sides used similar, sometimes almost the exact same model of aircraft, troops on the ground using MANPADs had a hard time telling if they were coming under attack or being provided air support which led to some friendly fire. The Georgian air defense systems, especially the modern ones, proved very dangerous for Russian aircraft.
The 08' South Ossetia war air assets were Su-25, L-39 and L-29 aircraft on the Georgian side and Su-27, MiG-29, Su-25, Su-24 and Tu-22 on the Russian side. The Georgians managed to launch sorties in the first few hours of conflict but that quickly ceased and alot of damage was inflicted on Georgian aircraft on the ground. The Russians seemed unprepared also and were heavily criticized for their performence and lack of air battlespace awareness and control. Certain assets, especially UAVs used for intelligence and SEAD missions were simply not part of the Russian order of battle so they had to rely on much more valuable aircraft to perform these dangerous missions. The reported air losses for the war vary, but are most likely around 16 planes and choppers on the Georgian side, both in the air and on the ground. Many remember the video of a Russian fighter shooting down a Georgian UAV during the outbreak of war. The Russian losses were 6 Su-25s, including 3 to friendly fire, 2 Su-24s and 1 Tu-22 bomber according to most sources. Since both sides used similar, sometimes almost the exact same model of aircraft, troops on the ground using MANPADs had a hard time telling if they were coming under attack or being provided air support which led to some friendly fire. The Georgian air defense systems, especially the modern ones, proved very dangerous for Russian aircraft.
Georgian SAM systems weren't dangerous. Russian incompetence was. On the Abkhazian front no aircraft were lost because several helo-mounted EW systems were used to suppress all the Georgian GBAD. Allegedly not a single shot was fired by Georgian Buks on the Abkhazian front. Because of the rushed situation and poor coordination on the South Ossetian front no such units were used.
I'd be interested to see those reports. It wouldn't be impossible, but I don't see it as likely.