Russian SU-25SM Attack Aircraft Moved From Russia To Belarus
MOSCOW - Russian SU-25SM attack aircraft of the Eastern Military District have been moved from Russia to Belarus for what Russia and Belarus are calling 'exercises' but the West suspects may be an ever growing invasion force near Ukrainian borders. SU-25SM aircraft would be paramount to carrying out an attack on the ground in the event of an invasion taking place.
The pilots of the Su-25SM aircraft flew from the airfield in Primorsky, Russia to the region of Brest, Belarus over a distance of 7,000 kilometers, or roughly 4,350 miles in what Russian state news agency TSS calls a 'test of the reaction forces'.
TASS said that the Russian military stated "The crews of the Su-25SM aircraft of the Eastern Military District, involved in the verification of the reaction forces of the Union State, have completed the redeployment to the airfields of the Republic of Belarus".
The Russian Defense Ministry stated "Upon arrival at the temporary airfield, the Russian crews will study the routes of upcoming flights, work out interaction with the flight control group and begin to perform tasks for their intended purpose".
According to TASS, the 'test' of the reaction forces will be taking place in two stages. Until February 9th the first stage will involve 'redeployment' and the 'creation of groupings of troops in Belarus', "security and defense of important state and military facilities, and protection of the state border in the airspace will be organized' will be carried out.
From February 10th to February 20th, a joint exercise called 'Allied Resolve - 2022' will be carried out involving 'suppressing and repelling external aggression, countering terrorism and protecting the interests of the Union State'.
During Allied Resolve measures will be taken to "strengthen the protection of the state border to prevent the penetration of armed groups of militants, to block the channels for the delivery of weapons and ammunition, as well as to search, block, and destroy illegal armed formations and sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the enemy" TASS reported.