File image.
The Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Arab Air Force have held joint drills on Syrian territory, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on November 9.
In a statement, the ministry said that pilots from the two countries practiced attacking enemy ground targets, hardware, fortifications, and manpower during the drills.
“Operational-Tactical Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces was involved in the first stage of the maneuvers. The Su-34 multi-role fighter-bombers and Su-24M front-line bombers hit ground targets at the Jabbul training ground in Aleppo governorate. The strikes were delivered by FAB-250 high-explosive bombs from altitudes of 600 to 3,300 meters. Su-35S fighter jets covered the bombers,” the ministry said.
“The next stage of the exercise was attended by Ka-52 and Mi-8AMTSH-V helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces as well as Mi-25 helicopters of the Syrian Air Force. Sorties were carried out from the Kuweires airfield. Pilots from the two countries destroyed the ground facilities of the mock enemy by S-8 missiles, and practiced flights at extremely low altitudes of around 30 meters. Furthermore, they trained as joint strike groups during maneuvering and running-in to the target,” it added.
The ministry noted that Russian helicopters also trained on searching for drones and neutralizing them as a part of the joint drills.
The final stage of the exercise included launching of joint airstrikes by the Army and the Operational-Tactical Aviation at night.
“The high level of personnel training made it possible to successfully complete all the tasks set, despite the complexity of guidance and call for targets in low visibility,” the ministry said.
It added that Russian and Syrian pilots also practiced interaction and increased coherence during the joint drills, noting that this will enhance the effectiveness of aviation operations in missions on the territory of Syria.
Syria has been working to rebuild its air forces, which have been depleted by over a decade of war, for the last few years with direct help from the Russian military.
The Russian-Syrian joint drills came amid an escalation in Israeli attacks on Syria. It also came following reports of ongoing preparations by terrorist groups in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib to launch a large-scale attack against government forces.
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