MOSCOW, January 11 (AVN) - Seven Ukrainian TU-160 strategic bombers will be handed over to Russia a bit later due to "purely technical reasons," Russian Air Force Commander Anatoly Kornukov said on Tuesday.
The delay is not caused by any problems between the two countries, Kornukov told the Military News Agency. The difficulties are purely technical, such as problems with delivering aviation fuel. All problems will be settled in a few days, and all planes will be handed over to Russia from January 15 to 25, Kornukov said.
As it was earlier reported, three Ukrainian TU-95MS and a TU-160 bomber have already arrived at the Engels airfield in the central Russian Saratov region. A total of 11 Ukrainian bombers will be handed over as compensation for the country's gas debts.