1 Feb 2016 16:49

Su-35S fighter aircraft begin executing tasks in Syria - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW. Feb 1 (Interfax) - Brand new Sukhoi Su-35S fighter aircraft began executing combat tasks in Syria last week, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Maj. Igor Konashenkov has said.

"Su-35S supermaneuverable fighter aircraft began executing combat tasks at the Hmeimim air base from last week," Konashenkov told reporters on Monday.

Since recently all Russian air operations in Syria have been under mandatory cover provided by Russian and Syrian fighter aircraft, as well as modern air defense systems including the S-400 missile system, he said.

The Kommersant newspaper said earlier on Monday that the Russian military leadership had decided to test new SU-35S fighters in real-life combat in Syria for the first time.