The Mikoyan MiG-29

(NATO reporting name: Fulcrum)
is a well-known twin-engine, fourth-generation Soviet fighter jet originally designed for air superiority. Developed during the Cold War to serve as a counter to American aircraft such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, the MiG-29 first entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1983. It was one of the first Soviet designs to emphasize high maneuverability for close-range aerial combat (dogfighting), utilizing features like a blended wing body design and powerful afterburning turbofan engines.
Over 1,600 units of the MiG-29 have been produced, making it a widely exported military aircraft that remains in active service with air forces around the world, including Russia, India, Ukraine, and several other nations. The aircraft has seen significant operational history and has been continuously modernized into numerous variants, such as the carrier-capable MiG-29K and the advanced multirole MiG-35. The fighter continues to operate in modern conflict zones, with both sides utilizing the platform in current conflicts.

Soviet Mig-29 with lit afterburners, while patrolling Soviet airspace