Profile
- Type
- Long-range interceptor and Kinzhal missile carrier variant
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Origin
- Soviet Union / Russia
- Service note
- Entered Soviet service in the early 1980s; modernized Russian variants remain in service.
Aircraft & UAVs
MiG-31
The MiG-31 is a Soviet-designed, twin-engine, two-seat long-range interceptor built for high-speed patrols, bomber interception, and wide-area air defense. In the Russia-Ukraine War, Russia's MiG-31K conversion has become important as the launch aircraft for Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles used in strikes against Ukraine.
- Conflict side
- Russia
- Built by
- Mikoyan
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussia
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Service History
- In service
- Early 1980s to present
- Used by
- Russian Aerospace Forces, Kazakhstan Air Defense Forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
- Designed
- 1970s
- Built by
- Mikoyan
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussia
- Produced
- 1970s-1990s; later Russian modernization and conversions
- Variants
- MiG-31B, MiG-31BM, MiG-31K
Specifications
- Crew
- 2
- Powerplant
- Two Soloviev D-30F6 afterburning turbofan engines
- Maximum speed
- About 3,000 km/h at altitude
- Dimensions
- About 22.7 m long with a 13.5 m wingspan
- Typical armament
- Long-range air-to-air missiles; MiG-31K variant carries one Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Russia
Russian forces use the MiG-31K strike variant as a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal carrier; Ukrainian reporting documented Kinzhal attacks and nationwide alerts tied to MiG-31K sorties from Russian bases.
MiG-31 Images
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MiG-31 FoxhoundPublisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports general MiG-31 background, airframe, propulsion, and performance details. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MiG-31 Foxhound Interceptor AircraftPublisher: Airforce Technology | Note: Supports manufacturer attribution, production context, dimensions, operators, and armament overview. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Kh-47M2 KinzhalPublisher: CSIS Missile Threat | Note: Supports the MiG-31K role as a modified MiG-31 carrier for the Kinzhal missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Day 659: Russia steps up missile attacks at UkrainePublisher: Ukraine Crisis Media Center | Note: Documents Russian MiG-31K sorties and Kinzhal missile launches during the Russia-Ukraine War. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Russia's War in Ukraine: Ballistic and Cruise Missile TrajectoriesPublisher: International Institute for Strategic Studies | Note: Supports Russia-Ukraine War context for Kinzhal employment from MiG-31K aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MiG-31 exercises May 2017 (8).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing source; the file is attributed to Mil.ru and licensed under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-20MiG-31 Foxhound.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Gallery image provenance; Wikimedia Commons lists the file as public domain in the United States as a U.S. military work. | Accessed: 2026-06-20