Moscow. June 28. INTERFAX-Mig-31K fighters armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers made training flights accompanied by Su-35 and Su-34 fighters during exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Monday.
"As part of the joint exercise, the crews of MiG-31K aircraft, which have the ability to use the latest hypersonic missiles from the Kinzhal complex, and long-range Tu - 22M3 bombers made regular training flights in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, during which they completed tasks for the development of airspace in the sea zone, "the military department said.
The Defense Ministry added that " during the exercises, MiG-31K fighters performed electronic missile launches against a conditional enemy."
According to the ministry, training flights of MiG-31K aircraft and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers were carried out accompanied by Russian Su-35 fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers.
During the training flights, aviation equipment and equipment are tested in difficult climatic conditions,including high temperatures. Long-term flights over the water surface are also being worked out, the military department added.
On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the beginning of maneuvers involving ships, submarines and aircraft in the east of the Mediterranean Sea.
"As part of the exercise, a pair of MiG-31K aircraft with the ability to use the latest hypersonic missiles from the Kinzhal complex were flown from Russian airfields to the Russian Khmeimim airbase in the Syrian Arab Republic, "the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
A naval strike group led by the British aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth is currently located in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to the Russian military, five ships are involved in the exercise, in particular, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the missile cruiser Moscow, the frigates with Kalibr cruise missiles Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, as well as two submarines equipped with "Caliber" Stary Oskol and Rostov-on-Don.
Together with the Tu-142, Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and MiG - 31K aircraft, the ships and submarines will perform combat training tasks to ensure the security of two Russian bases in Syria-Khmeimim and Tartus.
The MiG-31 is a long-range interceptor fighter. On its basis, the Mig-31K was created - the carrier of the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system.
The commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Sergei Surovikin, previously said that maneuvering the missile at speeds several times higher than the speed of sound allows it to reliably overcome all existing and developing air and missile defense systems. According to Surovikin, a high-speed carrier aircraft will be able to deliver a rocket to the drop area in a matter of minutes.
