Air Force ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation

Emblem of the Russian Air Force

The following table presents images of the rank insignia used by the Russian Federation Air Force (VVS). The Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old Czarist crown and double eagle. The Russian Air Force is an independent organization. The Russian Air Force follows the same rank structure as the Russian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officers rank, now abandoned.

The English title for each rank is given first, followed by the Russian title, an English transliteration, then the United States Air Force equivalent. Images of each insignia are provided in the table, along with images of the USAF equivalent.

Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks - troop ranks (army style ranks) and deck ranks (navy style ranks). The army uses troop ranks, and so does the Air Force. The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation eliminated the descriptor "of Aviation" following ranks, however, that descriptor is still in use in this service branch. The rank of a serviceman of a "Guards" unit or formation may be followed by the word “Guards.” The rank of a citizen of the legal, medical or veterinary professions shall be followed by the words “of Justice,” “of the Medical service,” or “of the Veterinary service,” to their respective ranks. The rank of a citizen having reserve or retired status shall be followed by the words “Reserve” or “Retired,” respectively.

Table of Ranks

The rank insignia shown here are in the old duty uniforms, the new parade dress uniform epaulettes are air force blue for NCOs and airmen and gold and blue for the officer corps while everyday dress uniforms retain the old design save for NCOs and airmen epaulette insignia.

Category	Troop ranks	Rank Insignia	NATO Equivalent
Supreme Officers or General Officers	General of the army (генера́л а́рмии) (Generál ármii)	Every day blue uniform	OF-9
	Colonel general (генера́л-полко́вник) (Generál-polkóvnik)	Every day blue uniform	OF-8
	Lieutenant general (генера́л-лейтена́нт) (Generál-leytenánt)	Every day blue uniform	OF-7
	Major general (генера́л-майо́р) (Generál-mayór)	Every day blue uniform	OF-6
Senior Officers or Field Grade Officers	Colonel (полко́вник) (Polkóvnik)	Every day blue uniform	OF-5
	Lieutenant colonel (подполко́вник) (Podpolkóvnik)	Every day blue uniform	OF-4
	Major (майо́р) (Mayór)	Every day blue uniform	OF-3
Junior Officers or Company Grade Officers	Captain (капита́н) (Kapitán)	Every day blue uniform	OF-2
	Senior lieutenant (ста́рший лейтена́нт) (Stárshiy leytenánt)	Every day blue uniform	OF-1
	Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) (Leytenánt)	Every day blue uniform
	Junior lieutenant (мла́дший лейтена́нт) (Mládshiy leytenánt)	Every day blue uniform
Under-Officers or Master non-commissioned officers	Senior warrant officer (ста́рший пра́порщик) (Stárshiy práporshchik)	Every day blue uniform	OR-9
	Warrant officer (пра́порщик) (Práporshchik)	Every day blue uniform	OR-8
Sergeants and Petty Officers	Starshina (старшина́) (Starshiná)	Every day green uniform	OR-7
	Senior sergeant (ста́рший сержа́нт) (Stárshiy Serdzhánt)	Every day green uniform	OR-6
	Sergeant (сержа́нт) (Serzhánt)	Every day green uniform	OR-5
	Junior sergeant (мла́дший сержа́нт) (Mládshiy Serzhánt)	Every day green uniform	OR-4
Soldiers, seamen, airmen	Private first class (ефре́йтор) (Yefrèytor)	Every day green uniform	OR-3
	Private (рядово́й) (Ryadovóy)	Every day green uniform	OR-2

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Russian military ranks
• Ranks and insignia of the Soviet military

External links

• Federal Law No. 58-FZ from March 12, 1998 "On military duty and military service" (in Russian)
• Presidential Decree No. 531 from May 8, 2005 "On military uniform, rank insignia of the servicemen and state bodies' rank isnignia" (in Russian)
• Military Ranks of Russia
• Russian military