Russian Air Force 'Detect' Mass Missile Strike During Drills in East

More than 10 airplanes and helicopters from aviation units deployed in the Zabaykalsk Region simulated an enemy air attack during the exercises. More than 30 aerial targets were destroyed.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Crews from the Russian Air Force and anti-missile systems units “detected” a large-scale aviation missile strike during military exercises in the country’s eastern district near China, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Eastern Military District’s press service said Tuesday.

“More than 10 airplanes and helicopters from aviation units deployed in the Zabaykalsk Region simulated an air attack by an ‘enemy.’ More than 30 different aerodynamic targets imitating cruise missiles and enemy aircraft were destroyed [during the exercise],” the press service said.

According to the press service, Russia's Su-30 jet fighters and Su-25 support aircraft, as well as Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters took part in the drill as an "enemy."

Earlier this month, Russia's Eastern Military District announced that live military exercises with S-300 missile systems, jet fighters and support aircraft will take place in April in Russia's Buryatia in southern Siberia.

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced plans to conduct at least 4,000 military exercises throughout the country in 2015.