Su-27P (Russian Air Defense Forces)
Войска Воздушно-космической обороны России

Su-27P
NATO: Flanker-B
Operator: 22nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment PVO
Location: Uglovoye Air Base (Russia)
Timeframe: 1993-94
Loadout: Interceptor
- Wingtip: 2x R-73
- Outboard: 2x R-73
- Inboard: 2x R-27ET
- Fuselage: 2x R-27ER
- Centerline: 2x R-27R

Personal interest:
This model represents a Su-27P stationed in the Far East Military District. The Su-27 was first introduced by Soviet Aerospace Forces to the European theater in 1985. In 1994, during my US Air Force service in Alaska, the 22 IAP replaced their MiG-23ML interceptors with the Su-27P. To our surprise, the Su-27 had sufficient range to come very close to Alaskan territory, emphasizing its utility not just as an interceptor, but as a fighter escort.

The Su-27 has been involved in many incidents during my contactor service. Since the 2014 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of Crimea, Russia has used upgraded Su-27s to perform very unprofessional and dangerous interceptions of US and NATO aircraft over the Black Sea and Baltic Sea. The target of multiple reckless interceptions were USAF and RAF RC-135 signals intelligence aircraft. In 2017 example, a Su-27 flew within 5 feet of a USAF RC-135 in the Baltic Sea. The most dangerous example occurred in September 2023, when a Su-27 released an air-to-air missile during the intercept of a RAF RC-135 over the Black Sea. Russia claims this was due to a malfunction, but the RAF indicated Russian GCI ordered the Su-27 pilot to fire. In August 2020, a Russian Su-27 intercepted a USAF B-52H over the Baltic Sea and proceeded to follow the B-52 over the Island of Bornholm, committing a significant violation of Danish airspace. During the same month, a Russian Su-27 performed an unprofessional and dangerous interception of a USAF B-52H over the Black Sea. Several times the Su-27 crossed within 100 feet of the nose of the B-52 while in full afterburner, narrowly avoiding collision and creating extreme turbulence. In March 2023, a Russian Su-27SM collided with a USAF MQ-9 Reaper flying over the Black Sea during an unprofessional interception. The MQ-9 crashed and sank. This incident was the first direct contact between Russian and United States Air Forces since the Cold War.