The Ministry of Defense of Russia (MO RF) has published footage of the combat work of the fire support group of the army aviation of the Western Military District (ZVO) accompanied by military columns during a special operation to protect Donbass.
"The helicopter crews of the army aviation of the Western Military District continue to provide reliable cover for military columns from the air," the military department said in a statement.
According to the Ministry of Defense, during the flight, the crews of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation scout the territories and, upon detection of military facilities, military equipment, reconnaissance and sabotage groups of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation destroy them using aviation weapons.
According to Alexey, the sniper of the fire support group, military pilots of multi-purpose Mi-8 helicopters go out on air patrol routes several times a day.
"We make an average of two departures a day. We have a lot of tasks. We accompany convoys, identify sabotage groups, provide fire cover from a helicopter. Of course, I feel responsible for my work," the military said.
The Military Department recalled that the shooters of the army aviation fire support groups accompany military convoys and humanitarian supplies along public roads.
"They cover army aviation helicopters from the air, monitor objects and vehicles on the ground and identify enemy firing points while patrolling the area," the Defense Ministry said.
In addition, the ministry added, often military personnel, risking their own lives, help evacuate civilians from liberated settlements from the front line of defense, cover them when approaching and loading on board helicopters.
On May 14, the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said that missile troops and artillery of the Russian Ground Forces in Ukraine hit more than 200 objects of the Armed Forces in a day. In addition, according to him, a Ukrainian Tochka-U ballistic missile was intercepted near the village of Khleborob, and three Smerch multiple rocket launchers were intercepted in the Kamenka area of the Kharkiv region.
Earlier on Friday, May 13, the Russian Defense Ministry published footage of the combat operation of Ka-52 helicopters. The military department said that the Ka-52 Alligator reconnaissance and attack helicopters are used by the Russian Armed Forces to escort convoys, eliminate weapons and strategic enemy facilities. They are also used to deliver troops and military cargo, as well as to provide aviation support to units.
On May 11, the Ministry of Defense showed footage of combat strikes by Su-35S fighters. Ultra-maneuverable military aircraft are used to attack strategic enemy targets using a wide range of missile and bomb weapons.
The day before, the Ministry of Defense demonstrated the work of calculations of the S-300V anti-aircraft missile system (SAM), which are designed to protect units of the Russian Armed Forces from air attack during a military special operation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special operation to protect the DPR and LPR on February 24. It was preceded by the aggravation of the situation in the region, the appeal of the leadership of the republics of Donbass to the Russian Federation with a request for help and the subsequent recognition by Russia of the independence of the DPR and LPR.
The Ukrainian authorities have been conducting a military operation against the residents of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup in Ukraine, since 2014.
For more relevant videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.