Russian Knights

The Russian Knights (Русские Витязи) are the official aerobatic team of the Russian Aerospace Forces, formed on 5 April 1991 and based at Kubinka Air Base near Moscow. Their displays emphasize large-aircraft precision using heavy fighter types, a rarity among national teams.

The team flies formation and synchro routines with Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, and regularly collaborates with the MiG-29-equipped Swifts from the same base for combined flypasts. Their paint scheme carries blue-white-red flashes and a Knights crest, easily recognisable in big-formation passes.

Su-30SM. Two-seat multirole derivative of the Su-27 with AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engines and Bars-R radar. It offers superb slow-speed control and high-alpha handling—ideal for close formation and opposition passes.

Su-35S. Single-seat super-manoeuvrable fighter with AL-41F-1S engines and the Irbis-E phased-array radar. Its powerful control authority and energy make for dramatic vertical figures and high-rate rejoins.

Both types are frontline production aircraft with minimal display-specific changes; the Knights typically fly 4–6 jets per routine depending on tasking and serviceability.

Origins & debut. The team formed in 1991 at Kubinka, flying Su-27s; their first international appearance followed on 24 August 1991 at an air festival in Poznań (Poland).

1990s–2000s. Extensive European and Asian tours built the brand; a combined display with the Swifts evolved into the Kubinka Diamond—a nine-ship horizontal barrel roll flown by two sub-formations.

Type updates. In 2016 the Knights received Su-30SMs (eight delivered across Oct–Nov). By 2019–2020 new Su-35S fighters joined the fleet, allowing mixed-type and single-type line-ups in current seasons.

• The team’s Russian name is Russkiye Vityazi—“Russian Knights.”
• They’re one of the few national teams to display heavy fighters in close formation (Su-27 family).
• Home base is Kubinka, with the Swifts (MiG-29) as sister team for combined flypasts.
• The signature Kubinka Diamond is a nine-aircraft horizontal barrel roll using two elements.
• Frontline avionics—Bars-R (Su-30SM) and Irbis-E (Su-35S)—help with situational awareness during big-formation work.