Caucasus warriors - Su-25's from 461 ShAP "Red Wolfs" - Krasnodar AFB

John Cool · December 29, 2008

In the last few days I managed to gather some informations about Su-25's attack aircrafts from 461 ShAP based and Krasnodar AFB in Caucasus Military District.

As far as I know, the unit was created in 1993. Nowadays unit got at least 34 Su-25 & Su-25BM single seat attack planes & Su-25UB two-seaters, organized in two separate squadrons. Most of the planes which belongs to this unit probably comes from attack squadrons previously withdrawned from East Germany and disbanded. Additionally at least 21 L-39C trainers can be found on the airfield. The total staff amount circa 620 personell. Lat time the unit leader became Colonel Valerij Kushnerev (Валерий Кушнерев). Or, lets say Kuschnerev, what a coincidence :)

It's worth to notice that the most characteristic feature of the Su-25's from Krasnodar is an unusual "Red Wolf" insignia, painted on the both sides just under the front glass.

461 ShAP took part in most of the latest local conflicts in Southern Caucasus including Chechnya and Sth. Ossetia/Geogria. Unfortunately I didn't found any further informations. As far as I know, during the last air war over the Sth. Ossetia/Georgia unit, together with the 368 OShAP (Budiennovsk AFB) performed several airstrikes against georgian military assets. During one of the combat sorties performed in 13th August an Su-25 board no. "Red 46" took several hits from Georgian AA and made his way back to Krasnodar. This is still the only known mishap regarding to 461th ShAP. Most of the Su-25 losses over Georgia and Ossetia suffered the 368 OShAP.

Few years ago there were plans to disband this unit in 2005, but as we can see squadron still perform various tasks over the Caucasus.

Su-25UB no. '39' - side view: