MOSCOW. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Russian and Belarusian fighter jets have trained engagement in the course of a joint exercise in Belarus, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"During the Union Resolve 2022 exercise, Sukhoi Su-35 and Su-30SM fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Force and the Belarusian Air Force have trained in dogfights between duos," the ministry said.
The pilots practiced offensive and defensive maneuvers in a limited space, at a low altitudes of 200 to 1,000 meters, and aerobatic elements for the best angle of attack.
Russia's Su-35 also provided support to Yakovlev Yak-130 combat trainers and Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters of the Belarusian Air Force that hit ground targets at the Osipovichi range, the ministry said.
"Meanwhile, Eastern Military District units supported by the Union State's artillery and aircraft defeated a tactical landing team of a mock enemy," it said.
Smerch and Uragan rocket launchers fired at the landing area, and Verba MANPADS "downed" helicopters of the mock enemy from distances exceeding 3,000 meters.
"Eastern Military District units supported by rocket launchers, D-30 howitzers and Nona self-propelled artillery systems completed the defeat of the mock enemy's tactical landing team," the ministry said.
Russia and Belarus are conducting a preparedness check of the Union State's rapid response forces. Troops were redeployed and a contingent was formed at the first stage, which ended on February 9, and the Union Resolve 2022 exercise is taking place at the second stage, between February 10 and February 20.
The exercise involves Belarusian forces and units of the Russian Eastern Military District, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Forces. S-400 Triumph long-range air defense missile systems, Pantsir-S short-range air defense missile systems, as well as Sukhoi Su-35 fourth-generation multirole fighter jets were deployed from Russia to Belarus.