MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's aircraft have flown over 16,000 missions since the anti-terrorist operation in Chechnya began on October 1, 1999.
SU-25 Frogfoot attack planes have flown some 8,000 missions, SU-24 Fencer bombers - 5,500 missions, and special aircraft - over 2,000 missions, General Anatoly Kornukov, commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force, told Interfax on Tuesday.
The general said that the intensity of the ground attack aviation somewhat increased in late 2001 and in early 2002. "This is due to the fact that special measures are being taken to neutralize the rebel groups that remain in the Chechen Republic," the general said.