In addition to writing for Aviation Week Network, Maxim holds a key position at Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine (www.ato.ru). In the past he was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications and earlier worked for the Moscow-based CAST defense think-tank.
Maxim has a degree on international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia, and for several years worked at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
MOSCOW — The Russian air force this month is set to declare its first Mil Mi-28N attack helicopter squadron operational. In June, the squadron deployed to the 7th aerospace defense brigade airbase in Budennovsk, in the Stavropol region of southern Russia, and for the first time conducted tactical flight training with all of its 10 Mi-28N rotorcraft as part of a graduation exercise.
FARNBOROUGH — The Russian air force will take delivery of its first Su-35S fighter by the end of 2010, with a Libyan deal for the aircraft also anticipated to be concluded in the same time frame