On 11 October 2025, a fresh wave of imagery revived the question of whether Russia is keeping its MiG-31 Kinzhal carriers far from Ukrainian threat axes and using aerial refueling to shape optimal launch geometry, as reported by @Osintwarfare on X. The context is a two-year trend of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes against Russian airbases, Engels-2 in December 2022 and Soltsy-2 in August 2023 among the most visible, which has pushed Moscow to disperse scarce strike platforms deeper inside the country. At the same time, U.S. and Ukrainian officials have confirmed Patriot intercepts of Kh-47M2 Kinzhals, giving Russia an operational incentive to vary azimuths, timing and energy at launch. Together, these pressures make tanker support an attractive enabler for standoff Kinzhal employment from safer bases. Read Full Defense News At This Link.
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| The MiG-31K/I Foxhound variants were adapted as heavy missile carriers, and the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile was mounted on the centerline (Picture source: @Osintwarfare on X) |