KALININGRAD, August 4. /TASS/. Naval aviation crews of the Russian Baltic Fleet have started missile-firing and bombing exercises at shooting ranges in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad Region, Fleet spokesman Andrei Bespaly said on Tuesday.
"During their sorties for practicing the combat use of weapons, the crews are making launches of missiles and aviation rockets of various classes, dropping bombs with a caliber of 100 to 500 kilos, drilling the elements of maneuvering in an air fight, and also making bombing runs amid a simulated enemy force’s electronic warfare jamming," the spokesman said.
During their flights, the pilots are practicing tactical missions to provide fire support for the ground forces, destroy a simulated enemy’s command posts, the armor and manpower, conduct air reconnaissance and eliminate enemy air targets and submarines," the spokesman said.
The naval aviation crews are performing combat training assignments day and night, the officer said. Overall, about 70 sorties are planned.
The exercises involve about 15 crews of Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name: Fencer) bombers, Mil Mi-24 (Hind) gunships and Kamov Ka-27 (Helix) military helicopters, and also Antonov An-26 (Curl) military transport aircraft.