Unbelievably close and personal with a Ukrainian Su-27.

World famous photographer Sławek Krajniewski, best known as “Hesja“, did it again. After filming the backstage of his air-to-air photo shooting with two Polish Air Force F-16C Block 52+ Fighting Falcon jets from 6th Tiger’s Fighter Squadron last year, he brought us in action with him again with the stunning “behind the scenes” clip below filmed just a few days ago.

The footage was shot on Aug. 16, after the rehearsals of the LOTOS Gdynia Aerobaltic Airshow, Poland. “Hesja” arranged a join-up of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27P Flanker with the Skyvan from SKY FORCE Polskie Centrum Spadochronowe.

The Flanker, belonging to the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade from Mirgorod, the airbase hosting the only Ukrainian Air Force Flanker Squadron, joined the camera ship at about 1,500 feet and 150 knots (!) and almost put its nose inside the Skyvan’s cargo ramp.

The video is extremely interesting as it shows the proximity of the Flanker to the photographers as well as its ability to maneuver at slow speed. Rather impressive.

BTW, if you want to see the display routine of the Ukrainian Su-27P at Gdynia, click here.

The Su-27P was part of a larger Ukrainian “contingent” deployed to Poland for the Gdynia Aerobaltic Airshow that included an Il-76MD, another Flanker (a two-seater Su-27UB) and a Su-24 Fencer.