
Swifts (Strizhi)
About the Team
The Swifts (Strizhi) are the Russian Aerospace Forces’ dedicated MiG-29 display team based at Kubinka Air Base. Formed on 6 May 1991, they fly precision formation and synchronised aerobatics with MiG-29/29UB fighters drawn from the 237th Centre for Display of Aviation Equipment named after I. N. Kozhedub.
The routine emphasises tight six-ship formation figures, opposition passes and dynamic solo elements. The Swifts often appear alongside the Russian Knights in combined formations popularly known as the “Kubinka Diamond.”
About the Mikoyan MiG-29
Role & origin. Twin-engine, supersonic air-superiority fighter designed by the Mikoyan bureau. First flight 1977; entered service 1983.
Powerplant & performance. 2 × Klimov RD-33 turbofans. Max speed ≈ Mach 2.25 (~2,400 km/h) at altitude; typical service ceiling ≈ 18,000 m (~59,000 ft).
Display features. High thrust-to-weight ratio and responsive flight controls enable tight turns, vertical manoeuvres and precise formation handling that define the Swifts’ routine.
Team Facts
Display Aircraft
6 × MiG-29/29UB
Established
1991
Base
Kubinka Air Base
Signature
“Kubinka Diamond” with Knights
Team & Type in Service
Swifts pilots originate from Kubinka’s display centre and debuted internationally in 1992 at Reims. The team gained global notice by winning top honours at Malaysia’s LIMA ‘93. Since then, Swifts have remained a mainstay at major Russian and international events, frequently flying combined sequences with the Russian Knights.
The MiG-29 itself has served since the early 1980s, becoming one of the most widely recognised 4th-generation fighters. Its agility and twin-engine safety margins make it an ideal platform for the Swifts’ close-in formation aerobatics.
Did You Know?
- The team’s Russian name Strizhi means “Swifts”—fast, agile birds reflected in the team’s white-blue-red livery.
- Swifts are part of the 237th Centre for Display of Aviation Equipment at Kubinka, named after triple Hero of the Soviet Union Ivan N. Kozhedub.
- Typical public displays feature a six-ship core with occasional larger flypasts at national events.
- Combined formations with the Russian Knights are popularly called the “Kubinka Diamond.”
- The MiG-29’s RD-33 engines and blended-wing design enable high-alpha manoeuvres seen in solo portions of the show.
Test Your Knowledge
1. When were the Swifts officially formed?