Direct proof of use
The MiG-31 is documented in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War through two Russian-operated configurations. IISS describes Russian Aerospace Forces use of the 9-S-7760 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile from MiG-31K Foxhound-D aircraft in Ukraine on several occasions, including Russia's first reported Kinzhal strike on March 18, 2022 near Delyatin in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.
The interceptor configuration is documented separately. RUSI reported that Russian Aerospace Forces combat air patrols in October 2022 used pairs of Su-35S fighters or MiG-31BM interceptors across eight zones along the Ukrainian-Russian lines, and that the MiG-31BM with the R-37M very-long-range air-to-air missile was especially problematic for Ukrainian aircraft.
Later strike and air-alert reporting connects the MiG-31K carrier role to individual Kinzhal events. AP reported Ukraine's statement that a Kh-47 missile launched by a Russian MiG-31K from Russian territory was shot down with a Patriot missile over Kyiv region during the night attack of May 4, 2023. Ukraine Crisis Media Center reported that MiG-31K aircraft that could carry Kinzhal missiles took off from Russia's Savasleyka airbase during Russia's December 14, 2023 missile activity against Ukraine.
Sources: IISS Ballistic and Cruise Trajectories, RUSI Russian Air War, AP Patriot Kinzhal Intercept, UCMC Day 659
Dated milestones
The cited MiG-31K strike record begins with Russia's reported March 18, 2022 use of Kinzhal against the Delyatin ammunition-storage site. IISS treats that incident as the first Russian Kinzhal use in the war and identifies the launch aircraft type as the MiG-31K Foxhound-D.
By October 2022, RUSI described a regular Russian fighter-patrol posture that included MiG-31BM interceptors and R-37M missiles. The report said the patrols menaced Ukrainian aircraft near the front lines from outside the range of Ukrainian defenses, while also noting that R-37M employment had expanded to some Su-35S fighters.
On May 6, 2023, AP reported Ukraine's claim that a Patriot battery intercepted a Kh-47 missile launched by a MiG-31K during the May 4 night attack over the Kyiv region. On December 14, 2023, Ukraine Crisis Media Center reported three Kh-47M2 Kinzhal launches at Ukraine and repeated Ukrainian Air Force statements that MiG-31K takeoffs from Savasleyka triggered nationwide alerts.
Sources: IISS Ballistic and Cruise Trajectories, RUSI Russian Air War, AP Patriot Kinzhal Intercept, UCMC Day 659
Operational role
In Russian service, the MiG-31K appears in this conflict as a launch platform rather than as a battlefield aircraft over Ukrainian-held airspace. The carrier role ties the aircraft to Russia's long-range strike campaign, where Kinzhal missiles were used against targets in Ukraine and became part of the contest between Russian missile salvos and Ukrainian air defense.
The MiG-31BM role is different. RUSI's account places it in combat air patrols near the front-line air war, where its altitude, performance, and R-37M carriage allowed Russian fighters to threaten Ukrainian aircraft at long range. That evidence supports Russian use of MiG-31BM interceptors for air-defense and air-denial patrols, not Ukrainian possession or operation of the aircraft.
The strongest public evidence is institutional and attributed reporting rather than complete launch-to-impact observation for every event. The sources directly support Russian fielding and use of MiG-31K and MiG-31BM variants in Ukraine, while individual Kinzhal strike effects and air-to-air missile engagements remain source-specific claims.
Sources: IISS Ballistic and Cruise Trajectories, RUSI Russian Air War, AP Patriot Kinzhal Intercept, UCMC Day 659
