What You Need to Know: Viktor Belenko, a Soviet pilot, defected to the West in 1976 by flying his MiG-25 Foxbat to Japan, shocking both the Soviet Union and the world. The MiG-25, one of the USSR’s most advanced interceptors, boasted unmatched speed and altitude capabilities.

-After Belenko’s defection, the U.S. accessed valuable intelligence on the Foxbat, prompting Soviet engineers to upgrade the jet’s radar and armaments.

-The Foxbat influenced the development of the U.S. F-15 Eagle, highlighting its significant impact on Cold War aviation. Operational in various nations, the Foxbat served in conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia.

Earlier last year, ex-Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko who flew a dangerous mission of defection during the Cold War sadly passed away in Illinois. While serving in the USSR’s 513th Fighter Regiment, 11thAir Army in 1976, Belenko flew his MiG-25 Foxbat fighter jet to Japan, where he later successfully defected to the West.

During this time, the MiG-25 Foxbat was widely considered to be the most advanced aircraft across the globe. Then-Air Force Secretary Robert Seamans described the MiG-25 as “possibly the best interceptor in production worldwide,” making Belenko’s brave defection even more shocking.

In the early days of the Cold War, the Soviet Air........

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