As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Ukrainian Air Force has resorted to using Cold War-era weaponry to address critical supply shortages. Reports indicate that MiG-29 fighter jets are now carrying R-60 missiles, a short-range air-to-air system that first entered service in the 1970s.

While these missiles were largely considered obsolete by the time Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, they are currently being repurposed to target Russian drones. The move highlights the logistical challenges facing Ukraine as it attempts to maintain air defense capabilities while managing dwindling stockpiles of modern precision-guided munitions.

Military analysts note that the R-60, originally designed for dogfighting against manned aircraft, lacks the sophisticated guidance systems found in modern missiles. However, its continued use underscores the necessity of utilizing available legacy hardware to counter the high volume of low-cost drones deployed by Russian forces. The reliance on such aging technology reflects a broader trend of both sides in the conflict digging into deep storage to sustain long-term combat operations.