Tu-22M3 bombers re-deployed to Kyrgyzstan for SCO drills

Long-range bombers Tu-22M3 of the Russian Aerospace Forces operated the flight from Siberia to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the international anti-terrorist exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) "Peace Mission-2016". RIA Novosti reported with reference to the press service of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation.

"Long-range supersonic bombers Tu-22M3 of the Russian Aerospace Forces were re-deployed from Tolmachevo airfield in Novosibirsk region to Kant airbase to participate in the joint military counterterrorism exercises," statement said.

 As noted, during the active phase of the maneuvers, the long-range bombers crews will work out   the aircraft bombing of the base camps and facilities of the assumed illegal armed groups.

"Peace Mission-2016" drills are held in the highlands of Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan and will continue until September 21. They involve units of the armed forces of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia and Tajikistan.

 In August, long-range bombers Tu-22M3, coming from airports based on the territory of Russia and Iran, made a group airstrike against targets of the terrorist group "Islamic state" in the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor. Large stores of weapons, ammunition and fuel, a large number of militants, artillery positions and the armored machinery of the terrorists have been destroyed.

Photo by RIA Novosti. Ilya Pitalev