Russian Su-35S multirole fighter jets deploy to Belarus for joint drills

Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighters of Russia’s Aerospace Force are deploying to Belarus for an inspection of the Union State’s response forces, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"The crews of Su-35S multirole fighter aircraft of the Eastern Military District involved in an inspection of the Union State’s response forces continue deploying to Belarusian airfields," the ministry said in a statement.

During their flight, the crews will make intermediate stopovers at airfields of Russia’s Central and Western Military Districts to prepare for the next flight and for the crews to have a rest, the ministry specified.

The flight routes of the multirole fighters have been thoroughly mapped out by navigators and take into account the capabilities of the longest possible non-stop flight by the aircraft and also weather conditions along the entire route, the ministry said.

"Upon their arrival at the airfields in the Republic of Belarus, the crews of the Su-35S multirole fighter jets will go on air defense combat alert as part of a check of the Union State’s integrated air defense system," the statement says.

As the Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier, the inspection will run in two stages. At the first stage before February 9 the Belarusian and Russian militaries will practice redeploying troops and creating task forces in dangerous directions on the territory of Belarus within a short period of time. During the first stage, the troops will practice protecting and defending vital state and military facilities and protecting the state border in the airspace, including as part of the Russia-Belarus joint regional air defense system.

The Belarusian and Russian militaries will also inspect the readiness of the air defense combat alert forces and capabilities to accomplish the tasks of shielding key facilities on the territory of Belarus.

At the second stage of the inspection that will run on February 10-20, the Union Resolve 2022 joint drills will be held, in which the troops will practice repelling external aggression, countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State.