Russian Navy's MiG-29 Fighters Engage in Ukraine Conflict as Aircraft Carrier Undergoes Overhaul

The Russian navy's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, has been undergoing overhaul since 2017, leaving its MiG-29KR fighters stranded. Some of these fighters have reportedly been deployed to Crimea to hunt Ukrainian navy boats, equipped with modern air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The Ukrainian navy, lacking large armed warships, relies on missiles, drones, and fast small boats, often carrying shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. Despite the potential danger, more MiG-29KRs may be seen in the sky over Ukraine, as the carrier's overhaul may extend into 2025 or even result in its permanent decommissioning due to safety concerns.