If Russia decides to attack Ukraine, its air force will not have to fly very far. The two military districts adjacent to Ukraine contain 60% of Russia's tactical military aviation, according to an Aviation Week analysis. As tensions with Ukraine have escalated, Moscow has moved even more aircraft to the Crimean Peninsula as well as Belarus, where a large joint military exercise began on Feb. 10. Russian forces in the region are numerous, and its commanders and crews are more skilled than at any point since the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago. Those forces are divided into five military districts. Tactical aircraft and air defense assets are stationed in respective military districts, which Russia calls air force and air defense armies. Ukraine directly borders two Russian military districts: the Southern Military District, consisting of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Army (4th AF and AD Army), and the Western Military District, consisting of the 6th AF and AD Army. Here is a look at how they are arrayed.
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