Imperial Russian Air Service

The Imperial Russian Air Service was the air arm of the Imperial Russian Army and Navy, formally established in 1912 and operating until 1917. It represented one of the earliest organised military aviation forces in the world and played a significant role during the First World War. Although its operational life was relatively short, the service contributed substantially to the development of military aviation through technical innovation, combat experimentation, and the training of personnel who later formed the core of Soviet air power.
The air service functioned during a formative period in aviation history, when aircraft were rapidly evolving from experimental machines into effective military tools. Despite limitations in industrial capacity and logistical coordination, the Imperial Russian Air Service emerged as a major aviation force within the Entente powers.

Origins and Early Aviation Thought

The roots of Russian aviation can be traced back to theoretical and experimental work conducted in the late nineteenth century. Pioneering Russian scientists such as Nikolai Kibalchich and Alexander Mozhaysky explored concepts of powered flight well before practical aeroplanes became feasible. During the 1890s, aviation theory was significantly advanced by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, whose research into aerodynamics and propulsion laid the foundations for later aerospace development.
By the early twentieth century, aviation had begun to attract military interest. In 1902–1903, during military exercises in the Kiev Military District, the Imperial Russian Army employed aerostats for reconnaissance and artillery observation. These early efforts were organised under the Aeronautical Company, commanded by Colonel A. M. Kovanko, marking the first systematic military use of aerial platforms in Russia.
In 1904, Nikolai Yegorovich Zhukovsky founded the world’s first Aerodynamic Institute near Moscow, providing a scientific basis for aircraft design and testing. During the Russo-Japanese War, one aeronautical battalion equipped with four aerostats participated in limited operations, further demonstrating the military potential of aviation.

Institutional Development and Training

The institutional foundations of Russian military aviation were strengthened in the years immediately preceding the First World War. In 1908, the Russian Aeroclub was established to promote aviation and pilot training. Two years later, in 1910, the Imperial Russian Army sent several officers to France to receive formal pilot instruction, reflecting the influence of Western European aviation expertise.
The same year saw the opening of Russia’s first aviation school at Gatchina, followed by a second school in Sevastopol later in 1910, which was relocated to Kacha in 1912. These institutions trained the first generation of Russian military pilots and mechanics. Although Russia experimented with domestic aircraft production, including a biplane built in Saint Petersburg, foreign designs such as the French Farman III proved superior and were adopted instead.
On 12 August 1912, the Imperial Russian Air Service was officially established as a separate branch of the army, having previously been part of the combat engineering units. This date is generally regarded as the formal birth of Russian military aviation.

Pre-War Operations and Innovation

Before the outbreak of the First World War, Russian military aviation participated in limited overseas operations. During the First Balkan War, a small Russian air detachment served with the Bulgarian Army. Composed of civilian volunteers, pilots, and technicians, this unit provided reconnaissance and demonstrated the international reach of Russian aviation expertise.
The period also witnessed major technological achievements. In 1913, Igor Sikorsky designed and built the Russky Vityaz, the world’s first successful four-engine aircraft, followed by the Ilya Muromets, which became the first operational heavy bomber. In the same year, Dmitry Pavlovich Grigorovich developed a series of M-type flying boats for the Imperial Russian Navy, establishing Russia as a leader in seaplane design.
In 1914, Polish-born aviator Jan Nagórski, serving in the Russian Navy, conducted the world’s first Arctic aviation missions while searching for the lost expedition of polar explorer Georgy Sedov.

World War I Operations

At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Imperial Russian Air Service possessed the largest air fleet among the Entente powers, with approximately 263 aeroplanes and 14 airships. Initially, aircraft were used primarily for reconnaissance and artillery spotting, roles that reflected the prevailing doctrine of early military aviation.
As the war progressed, Russian aircraft were increasingly armed for combat. Pilots were initially equipped with pistols, including the Mauser C96, which proved more effective than standard service revolvers. Some aviators also carried carbines. Aircraft were adapted to drop steel flechettes and improvised bombs on enemy troop concentrations, camps, and supply columns, marking a transition towards offensive air operations.
A landmark event occurred on 8 September 1914, when Russian pilot Pyotr Nesterov carried out the first recorded aerial ramming attack in aviation history, deliberately colliding with an enemy Albatros B.I. Although Nesterov was killed in the action, his manoeuvre demonstrated both the desperation and innovation of early air combat. On 31 March 1915, Alexander Kazakov successfully performed a second ramming attack, surviving the encounter and later becoming one of Russia’s leading fighter aces.
Another notable achievement was recorded by Vyacheslav Tkachov, who became the first Russian pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft using a handgun during combat.

Expansion and Organisational Changes

In December 1914, a squadron of ten Ilya Muromets bombers was formed, creating the world’s first strategic bomber unit. These aircraft were used against German and Austro-Hungarian forces, conducting long-range bombing missions unprecedented at the time.
On 17 January 1915, the Ministry of War ordered the installation of machine guns, including the Madsen and Lewis guns, on military aeroplanes. In March 1915, naval aviation was formally established as a separate branch under the Imperial Russian Navy. Seaplane carriers such as Emperor Nicholas I and Emperor Alexander I were deployed with M5 and later M9 flying boats, particularly within the Black Sea Fleet.
In 1915, the Imperial Russian Air Service was placed directly under the authority of the Stavka, the supreme command headquarters, reflecting its growing strategic importance. By 1916, naval aviation had expanded significantly, with multiple carriers and increased numbers of operational seaplanes.

Personnel and Recognition

Throughout the war, Russian aviators demonstrated considerable bravery. A total of 269 pilots received awards such as the Order of St George, the Cross of St George, or the Gold Sword for Bravery. Several were also honoured by allied nations, receiving decorations including the Legion of Honour, the Military Cross, and the Order of the White Eagle of Serbia.
The service attracted talented pilots, engineers, and commanders whose experience would later influence both White and Red air formations during the Russian Civil War.