The book is devoted to the history of the creation and development of Russian air defense. It reflects the main stages of the construction of the domestic system of state protection in air (aerospace) space. The material is based on new archival sources and previously declassified documents that make it possible to objectively assess the process of turning the country's air (air) defense into aerospace. Particular attention is paid to the heroism and courage of air defense warriors shown on the battlefields of the First World War and the Great Patriotic War, numerous armed conflicts outside the USSR (Russia). For the first time, full biographical data of the leadership of the country's Air Defense Forces, including the leaders of air defense, in the structure of other types and branches of the Armed Forces, are presented as an appendix. The book is addressed to a wide range of readers. Volume 1 (1914-1941); Volume 2 (1941-2014).