All news

Russian strategic bombers redeployed to operational airfields amid snap drills

MOSCOW, September 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Air Force strategic bombers have been redeployed from their permanent bases to operational airfields as part of the large-scale snap military drills in the Russian Eastern Military District, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

“Strategic bombers Tupolev Tu-95MS [NATO reporting name: Bear] and Tupolev Tu-22M3 [NATO reporting name: Backfire] have been redeployed from their permanent bases to operational airfields of the Eastern Military District,” the press service said.

During the snap drills, the strategic bombers will practice patrolling of various districts and provide aerial support of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet warships.

“The aircraft will also practice during the drills midair refueling provided by Ilyushin Il-78 [NATO reporting name: Midas] aerial refueling tanker,” the press service added.

Russia’s Defense Ministry started a surprise combat readiness check in the Eastern Military District last Thursday morning on order from Russian President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin.

The drills focus on the tasks of troops’ regrouping for large-distance re-deployment.

This is not the first combat readiness check held since the start of this year. Late in February 2014, Putin ordered combat readiness checks of troops in the Western and Central Military Districts and in late June surprise checks were held in the Central Military District.