Russian attack aircraft redeploy from Kant airbase to Tajikistan to take part in drills
MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax-AVN) - A branch of Sukhoi Su-25SM attack aircraft from the Russian airbase in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, has completed an overflight to Tajikistan where they will take part in a joint Russian-Tajik exercise, Central Military District spokesman Col. Yaroslav Roshchupkin told Interfax-AVN on Friday.
"The Russian aircraft have joined an aviation grouping based at the Ayni airfield 30 kilometers from Dushanbe," he said.
During the exercise, the attack aircraft will provide air support for motor riflemen and special-forces units, drop bombs and missiles against ground targets imitating base camps and warehouses of illegal armed groups in a mountainous area, the spokesman said.
A day earlier the Russian military transport aviation redeployed two pairs of Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mi-8 military transport helicopters from the Tolmachyovo and Kant airbases.
The exercise involves command staffs of the Tajik defense ministry and the CMD, motorized-infantry, armored and artillery sub-units, special forces, paratroopers and air assault groups. Military servicemen from both armies will practice interoperability and joint approaches towards neutralizing illegal armed groups and destroying mock enemy bases, warehouses and other hostile targets.
