There is a big mismatch in airpower between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force can field about 100 modern aircraft, Russia can field over 1,300. Actual count according to Wikipedia is:
Ukraine
MiG-29 – 37 (multirole)
Su-24 – 12 (attack)
Su-25 – 17 (attack/CAS)
Su-27 – 32 (multirole)
Total Modern Combat Airplanes: 98
Total multirole or fighters: 69
Russia (in service)
MiG-35 – 8 (multirole)
MiG-31 – 113 (fighter)
MiG-29 – 259 (fighter)
Su-24 – 274
Su-25 – 193
Su-27 – 172 (fighter)
Su-30 – 119 (multirole)
Su-34 – 131 (multirole)
Su-35 – 103 (multirole)
Su-57 – 5 (multirole)
Total Modern Combat Airplanes: 1,377 (they also have 124 bombers)
Total multirole or fighters: 910
This does not include Russian Naval aircraft: 22 MiG-29s, 42 MiG-31s, 22 Su-24s, 4 Su-25UTG, 6 Su-27s, 26 Su-30ss, and 18 Su-33s for a total of 140.
It is clear that Russia will dominate the air. For Ukraine to have a fighting chance, it would need significant air support from the U.S. or NATO. The U.S. providing such air support is not an option I have heard discussed anywhere. Such a promise would have deterrence value.
Not discussed: Helicopters and drones.
[…] Now, our count before the war gave Russia some 1,377 modern combat airplanes with 910 of them multirole or fighters (not counting Navy), vice Ukraine’s 98 modern combat airplanes with 69 of them multirole or fighters. Reports were saying the Russia had deployed 500 of them against Ukraine. See: https://dupuyinstitute.org/2022/02/18/the-russo-ukrainian-war-of-2022-part-5-airpower/ […]