As Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine enters its fourth year, the evolving role of air and space power remains a crucial factor in shaping the battlefield.

Join the Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) for a roundtable discussion examining recent developments in the conflict, the resilience and adaptation of Ukraine’s air and missile defence systems, and the long-term implications of Western support.

This discussion will also explore the state of Russia’s aerospace forces under embargo and the strategic use of counterspace capabilities in the conflict.

Meet the panel:

Chaired by Dr. Reyhaneh Noshiravani, Research Associate at FASI, this panel brings together leading experts on air and space power, defence policy, and military strategy:

Dr. Julia Muravska, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at FASI and Senior Associate Fellow at the NATO Defence College (NDC), will discuss Ukraine’s evolving air defence landscape and employment of uncrewed aeries systems (UAS). Dr. Muravska argues that NATO must take decisive action in bolstering Ukraine’s air and missile defence capabilities, including the potential provision of air defence coverage from NATO territory. She also argues that allies would benefit from more structured collaboration with Ukraine’s UAV developers and the defence industry more broadly.

Dr. Daniel Salisbury, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Science and Security Studies (CSSS), King’s College London, will assess the resilience of Russia’s Aerospace Forces (VKS) under prolonged Western sanctions.

His analysis will explore Russia’s ongoing efforts to circumvent embargo restrictions, import substitution strategies, and illicit procurement networks to maintain its air force and civilian aviation. The discussion will also consider the long-term sustainability of Russia’s aerospace capabilities and how its partnerships with other states could shape future military operations.

Dr. Marina Miron, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, will examine Russia’s counterspace capabilities and their implications for the war in Ukraine. Her research highlights Russia’s strategic use of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons to challenge NATO’s reliance on space-based technologies, including intelligence, surveillance, and missile guidance systems.

The discussion will explore how these capabilities are being tested and refined during the war, as well as their potential impact on broader NATO strategic decision-making.

This event will provide a comprehensive analysis of the evolving military and strategic landscape in Ukraine, with a particular focus on the crucial role of air and space power. It is essential for policymakers, academics, and military professionals seeking to understand the ongoing war’s implications for global security.

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