Russians practiced air battles with fighters and bombers
Su-30SM of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Federation (Photo: occupiers’ resource)
Russian warplanes have conducted exercises in the Kaliningrad region, where military exercises of the North Atlantic Alliance are taking place nearby. This was reported by the Russian media outlets RBC and Interfax, citing the press service of the Russian Baltic Fleet, as well as writes Reuters.
WHY IT MATTERS
NATO is training to counter threats, particularly from its eastern border. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia was putting pressure on Belarus to engage it in a war either against Ukraine or one of the alliance countries. Expert Valentyn Badrak explained on LIGA.nethow Ukraine is fighting better than NATO. Also LIGA.net wrote, what are the scenarios of a possible war in the Baltic States and what risks it poses for NATO and Ukraine.
As noted, Su-30SM and Su-30SM2 multi-purpose fighters and Su-24M frontline bombers of the Russian Baltic Fleet – more than 10 aircraft in total – took part in the exercises in the Baltic Sea.
“During the flight and tactical exercises, the pilots and engineering staff practiced preparing the equipment for departure, withdrawing the aircraft from the attack of a simulated enemy and relocating them to airfields,” the Russian Navy said in a statement.
The pilots practiced air battles with a simulated enemy at various altitudes, including extremely low altitudes.
NATO’s BALTOPS naval exercises are taking place there from June 4-20. This is the largest military exercise in the Baltic Sea in 2026, involving about 20 ships from 15 countries and approximately 6,000 military personnel.
Before that, in May, NATO’s Amber Shock 26 continued in Poland – the two-week maneuvers included 3,500 troops, including soldiers from the United States.
In May, Belarus held joint military exercises with Russia on the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized these actions.
- on May 26, Reuters wrote that NATO strengthen the defense its eastern flank with a new structure that will allow for the rapid deployment of troops to Latvia and Estonia in the event of war with Russia.
- june 2, Financial Times reported that the United States was negotiating on expanding the deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe.
- on June 4, Brigadier General Kaspars Pudāns, commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, noted that Russia had gained a technological advantage that can be used to attack to NATO countries by the end of 2028.