KAZAN. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Twelve Su-34 fighter-bombers and two An-26 transport planes landed on the Europe - West China highway under construction in Tatarstan as part of exercises of the Central Military District.
When major highways are planned, they include special sections that can be used for landing warplanes and transport aircraft in case of necessity. One such section in Tatarstan was turned into a field airdrome with stocks of ammunition, fuel and lubricants and airfield infrastructure. This permits the landing and takeoff of aerial vehicles, the Defense Ministry press service said.
After due preparations and refueling, the planes successfully took off from the highway. In addition, the security and protection of the facility was drilled with the involvement of helicopters.
Special logistical exercises are being conducted in the Central Military District in drills that began on August 27 and are expected to continue until August 30 under the leadership of Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov. They involve over 30,000 servicemen, over 7,000 units of weaponry and military vehicles, and up to 90 aircraft and helicopters. Taking part are forces and equipment of the Central, Southern, Eastern, and part of the Western Military Districts, and also supply formations of Aerospace Forces and Air-Borne Troops.