| Russian Aerospace Forces | |
|---|---|
| Воздушно-космические силы | |
 Emblem of the Russian Aerospace Forces | |
| Founded | 1 August 2015 |
| Country | Russia |
| Type | Air and space force |
| Role | |
| Size | 165,000 personnel (2020)[1] |
| Part of | Russian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Arbat District, Moscow |
| Colors |
|
| March | "Air March" (Russian: "Авиамарш") (official march-past of the Air Force) "14 Minutes Until Launch" (Russian: "14 минут до старта") (official march of the Space Forces) |
| Anniversaries | Air Force Day (12 August) |
| Engagements | |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel General Viktor Afzalov |
| Deputy Commander-in-Chief | Colonel General Sergey Dronov |
| Notable commanders | Colonel General Viktor Bondarev |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
| Roundel |  |
| Patch |  |
| Middle emblem |  |
| Insignia |  |
| Russian Armed Forces |
|---|
.svg) |
| Staff |
| Services (vid) |
| Independent troops (rod) |
| Special operations force (sof) |
| Other troops |
| Military districts |
| History of the Russian military |
.svg){kind=small}
The Russian Aerospace Forces (Russian: VKS)[2] or Russian Air and Space Forces[3][a] comprise the aerial, space warfare, and missile defence branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It was established on 1 August 2015 with the merging of the Russian Air Force (VVS) and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces (VVKO), as recommended by the Ministry of Defence to improve efficiency and logistical support.[4] The VKS is headquartered in Moscow.[5]
- ^ "Russian Armed Forces: Military Modernization and Reforms" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service. 20 July 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Russia establishes Aerospace Forces as new armed service — Defense Minister". Archived from the original on 2017-03-21. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
- ^ "6 Dead in Fire at Russian Aerospace Defense Research Institute – State Media". The Moscow Times. 21 April 2022.
- ^ Compare: Russia establishes Aerospace Forces as new armed service — Defense Minister Archived 2016-05-13 at the Wayback Machine, tass.ru, 3 August 2015. - "'The formation of the Aerospace Forces by combining the Air Force and the Aerospace Defense Force is the optimal option for improving the system of the country's aerospace defense,' Shoigu said. [...] 'Now the single command unites aviation, air defense and anti-missile defense troops, space forces and means of the armed forces' [...]."
- ^ Шойгу объявил о создании нового вида ВС - Воздушно-космических сил Archived 2015-08-05 at the Wayback Machine, ria.ru/defense, 3 August 2015
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