A pair of Ukrainian Troops operating as a two man anti-air defense system engage a Russian Su-25 with 9K38 Igla man portable air defense systems from inside of a building in Bakhmut.

While it doesn't appear that the Ukrainians managed to down the Su-25, they definitely gave the pilot something to think about. MANPADs are a relatively new threat to fixed-wing aircraft. While it's true that they've been around since the 70s and 80s, this conflict is the first time in history that they've been an omnipresent and constant threat to both fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft in the sky.

In previous conflicts with guerilla forces, MANPAD systems were a threat, but they weren't such a massive threat that every aircraft in every battlespace had to constantly be weary of them. Here in Ukraine, we've seen basically the elimination of rotary wing aircraft from forward combat operations as they're extremely susceptible to being brought down by these systems and fixed wing aircraft have to constantly be prepared to fire counter-measures and egress out of the battlespace as well.

About the Author

Josh Brooks

Josh is an American writer and former USMC machine gunner with eight years of experience in ground combat arms throughout the GWOT. He is currently based in Texas and specializes in combat footage analysis and digital marketing.Follow Josh at OfficialJoshBrooks.com