The Ministry of Defense noted that the crews of the VKS were approaching the area of responsibility of the air defense units of the ZVO from different directions, at different altitudes and speeds
MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. More than 50 aircraft and helicopters of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) checked the work of the air defense forces on duty in the Western Military District (ZVO) at the joint exercises of the Russian Federation and Belarus "West-2021". This was reported on Tuesday in the Russian Defense Ministry.
"More than 50 pieces of aviation equipment were lifted into the air, including small-sized An-2 aircraft, An-26 transport aircraft, Su-35S and MiG-31 fighters, Mi-8 and Ka-52 helicopters. The aircraft had to overcome the duty zones of the air defense forces unnoticed by the radar stations of the radio-technical troops, " the report says.
The Ministry of Defense noted that the crews of the VKS were approaching the area of responsibility of the air defense units of the ZVO from different directions, at different altitudes and speeds. Some of them flew with the identification systems turned off at extremely low altitudes, in tight formations and using radio interference. The flights were carried out in the light and dark hours of the day.
"The combat crews of the radio engineering troops of the Western Military District have worked out the detection of air targets, their classification and the issuance of the coordinates of the flight of targets to the command post of the air defense units," the ministry noted.
The joint strategic exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus "West-2021" are held every two years. The practical actions of the troops take place from September 10 to 16 at nine training grounds located on the territory of the Russian Federation, in the Baltic Sea, as well as at five training grounds of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus. In total, up to 200 thousand personnel, about 80 aircraft and helicopters, up to 760 units of military equipment, including 290 tanks, 240 guns, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, as well as up to 15 ships are taking part in the Zapad-2021 exercises.