Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

09/12/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2021 13:35

The crews of the aircraft of the VKS and the aviation of the WMD worked out a massive bomb attack at the aviation training ground near Smolensk as part of the JSE Zapad-2021

12.09.2021 (06:20)

The crews of long-range Tu-22m3 bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and Su-34 bombers of the Western Military District practiced bombing at the training ground near Smolensk as part of the joint strategic exercise of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus Zapad-2021.

The pilots carried out the use of aerial bombs on ground targets indicating armored vehicles, concrete shelters, camouflaged fortified underground command posts of a mock enemy.

During the air strike, the crews acted as part of pairs and links. Combat use was carried out from heights of about 1000 meters.

Fighter cover for the actions of strike aviation was carried out by the crews of Su-30sm aircraft of the Western Military District.

In total, about 20 operational-tactical and long-range aircraft were involved in the flights for combat use.

The joint strategic exercise (JSE) of the armed forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus takes place every two years in accordance with the decision taken by the heads of the two states.

The Zapad-2021 exercise is the final stage of joint training of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation this year.

The practical actions of the troops (forces) take place in the period from 10 to 16 September 2021 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 take part in the JSE Zapad-2021 on the territory of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

The maximum number of personnel involved in the exercise of military units subject to the Vienna Document of 2011 on the territory of the Russian Federation does not exceed 6,400 military personnel.

The return of the military authorities and troops to the points of permanent deployment after participating in the exercise is planned until mid-October of this year.

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