What started as a single experimental airborne detachment, established by the Soviet high command in 1931 and outfitted with a handful of Polikarpov R-5 and Tupolev TB-1 aircraft, turned into a spawling branch of Russian Aerospace Forces with over 12 types and 20 modifications of aircraft at its disposal, which is capable of airlifting vast quantities of cargo and large numbers of personnel anywhere in the world.
Paratroopers board a Tupolev TB-1 transport aircraft. 1932.
A Soviet Li-2 military transport aircraft.
An armored vehicle is being loaded aboard a Soviet military transport aircraft.
An Antonov An-22 Cock military-transport aircraft.
The Antonov An-26 twin-engined light turboprop transport aircraft flies over the Kamchatka Peninsula.
An Ilyushin Il-76MD multipurpose strategic airlifter.
An airborne infantry fighting vehicle parachutes from an Il-76 military transport jet during a military exercise.
An-124 aircraft takes part in rehearsals for Mocscow's Victory Day Parade.
Mil Mi-24 military transport helicopters are being unloaded from an Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan military transport aircraft at the Koltsovo Airport.
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© Sputnik / Ilya Bogachev
An IlyushinIl-76MD-90A heavy multirole transport aircraft.
