MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. Russian fighter aircraft have gone on combat duty to perform air defense missions at airfields in the Central Military District where the large-scale Center-2015 strategic exercise is taking place, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office said on Tuesday.

"The crews of Sukhoi Su-27 [NATO reporting name: Flanker] and Mikoyan Mig-31BM [Foxhound] aircraft went on combat duty in a standard ceremony at airfields in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Perm Territory in the Urals. The aircraft placed on combat duty were refueled and prepared for their take-off," the Defense Ministry said.

Fighter jets are ready to accomplish any mission, including providing aircraft escort, intercepting a simulated enemy’s aircraft or cruise missiles, delivering missile and bomb strikes against ground targets, forcing frontier intruders to land and some others, the Defense Ministry added.