The former commander of the 4th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense, Lieutenant General Valery Gorbenko, on Wednesday, January 26, in an interview with Izvestia, commented on the relocation of multi-purpose Su-35S fighters to Belarus as part of the verification of the reaction forces of the Union State.
"Most likely, defensive tasks will be worked out at the exercises. The Su-35 can not only intercept aerial targets, but also work on ground targets or troop concentrations with missiles, bombs or small arms. This is a multi-purpose fighter, which, together with the Su-34, replaced fighter-bomber aviation — in the USSR it specialized in ground strikes," he said.
The expert noted that the new avionics and sighting systems ensure the defeat of the enemy at maximum distances. During the exercises, Belarusian pilots will get to know the fighter better. They will look at their capabilities and tell their commanders: "We also want to fly on such," Gorbenko expressed confidence.
Earlier in the day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the multi-purpose Su-35S fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces are relocating to Belarus as part of the verification of the reaction forces of the Union State.
On January 24, the military department of the Russian Federation said that the verification of the reaction forces of the Union State will take place in two stages. At the first stage, by February 9, the redeployment and creation of groups of troops in Belarus will be carried out as soon as possible, the protection and defense of important military and state facilities will be organized, as well as the protection of the state border in the airspace.
In addition, the ability of the air defense forces and means on duty to perform tasks to cover important objects on the territory of the republic will be tested.
During the second stage of verification, the joint exercises "Allied Determination – 2022" will take place from February 10 to 20. The issues of suppressing and repelling external aggression, as well as countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State will be worked out.
On January 18, units from the Russian Armed Forces began arriving in Belarus as part of a response force check.
