Russia's Sukhoi Su-34 jets make first-ever nighttime flight into stratosphere

The aircraft destroyed a hypothetical enemy at a supersonic speed, according to the Central Military District's press service.

YEKATERINBURG, September 30. /TASS/. Crews of generation 4++ multifunctional fighter-bombers Sukhoi Su-34 from an aviation division of the Central Military District, in the Chelyabinsk Region, carried out a night-time flight into the lower stratosphere and destroyed a hypothetical enemy at a supersonic speed, the district's press service said.

"During the training flights Sukhoi Su-34 crews carried out climbs to altitudes of about 15 kilometers, into the lower stratosphere. Upon achieving supersonic speeds they practiced interception and elimination of a hypothetical enemy. The crews operated totally on their own, without contacting air defense stations on the ground, which made the task more complex," the news release reads.

In October last year, an air regiment of the Central Military District completed a program for rearmament to obtain the newest generation 4++ planes. The last three jets were redeployed to the Chelyabinsk Region in the last move that completed the formation of a second squadron of Sukhoi Su-34.

Russia's frontline bomber Su-34

The Sukhoi Su-34 (NATO's reporting name Fullback) is a two-seat all-weather frontline bomber, converted from the frontline fighter jet Sukhoi Su-27. It was developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau under chief designer Rollan Martirosov.

The plane's main task is to destroy ground, surface and air targets and air defense-protected infrastructures located away from the airbase. It is capable of effectively delivering strikes amid enemy resistance round the clock in good and bad weather with a variety of weapons, and of conducting air reconnaissance. The plane's combat features enable it to enter into highly maneuverable duels with enemy fighter jets and cope with combat missions independently without escort fighters.

The Sukhoi Su-34 performed its first flight on April 13, 1990. It was authorized for service on March 20, 2014. The maximum speed near the surface is 1,400 kilometers per hour, and at high altitudes, 1,900 kilometers per hour; range of flight - 4,500 kilometers without refueling and 7,000 kilometers with midair refueling; and altitude - 14,650 meters.

Weaponry: 30 mm gun GSh-30-1 and 12 weapon stations for air-to-air or air-to-surface missiles of different types, unguided rockets and aerial bombs.

Since September 30, 2015, Sukhoi Su-34 jets have participated in combat operations in Syria as part of Russia's Aerospace Force Group. The fighter-bombers successfully attacked militants' infrastructures and manpower. Some flew sorties from the Khmeimim air base in Syria and others from the Hamadan airbase in Iran.

Source: ITAR-TASS 30-09-2020

Number of injured in overhead crossing collapse in Moscow region rises to over 50

On Sunday morning, an overhead pedestrian crossing collapsed on the territory of FM Logistic enterprise in Stupino near Moscow, according to preliminary data, due to overload.

MOSCOW, September 27. /TASS/. The number of people injured in an overhead pedestrian crossing collapse in the Moscow region increased to over 50 people, press service of the Main Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry in the Moscow Region told TASS.

"As of 13:00 Moscow time, 51 people were injured. All of them are in various hospitals. Some of them have turned to doctors on their own," the department said.

Earlier it was reported that 39 people were injured during the collapse of the overhead pedestrian crossing, 18 of them were in serious condition, no deaths were reported. The injured were transported to medical institutions.

Source: ITAR-TASS 27-09-2020

Russia, Belarus train to repel military aggression against Union State

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said the exercise followed counter-terrorist scenarios and was not aimed against other countries.

MINSK, September 26. /TASS/. During the Slavic Brotherhood-2020 military exercise, servicemen of Belarus and Russia practiced repelling a military aggression against the Union State, the chief of the Belarusian Armed Forces’ General Staff told the Belarus-1 TV channel.

"A joint grouping of [Russian and Belarusian] forces practiced tasks related to repelling a joint aggression against the Union State," First Deputy Defense Minister Major-General Alexander Volfovich said.

"As part of this stage [of the exercises], the troops practiced capturing defense lines and positions, combat actions aimed at holding a tactical defense zone, fire support of defending troops, airborne assault, aviation support," he said.

The first phase of the Russian-Belarusian exercise Slavic Brotherhood-2020 began in Belarus on September 14. Russia delegated units from an airborne assault regiment of the Pskov airborne force. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said the exercise followed counter-terrorist scenarios and was not aimed against other countries.

The second phase of the exercise was held in western Belarus on September 22-September 25. Russia sent over 900 servicemen and about 100 pieces of military equipment.

Source: ITAR-TASS 26-09-2020

Military exercise Kavkaz-2020 ends with mock enemy defeat

 Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the final events on site.

KAPUSTIN YAR PROVING GROUND /Astrakhan Region/, September 25. /TASS/. The main phase of the strategic exercise Kavkaz-2020 at the proving ground Kapustin Yar in the Astrakhan Region has ended with the enemy defeat by the coalition force. Russian President Vladimir Putin observed the final events on site.

"Coalition forces incorporating contingents from Russia, Armenia, Belarus, China, Myanmar and Pakistan carried out a counter-offensive operation to inflict a crushing defeat on the enemy force at the Kapustin Yar proving ground," the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The coalition forces delivered a massive fire strike, gained fire superiority and inflicted maximum losses on the hypothetical enemy. Operative and tactical airborne assault forces prevented the arrival of enemy reserves and created conditions for a counterstrike.

The coalition force carried out a pincer movement, which ended in the encirclement of the enemy force. The main strike that followed made the enemy surrender.

The Kavkaz-2020 drills, running from September 21- 26, led by Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, are underway in Russia’s Southern Military District and in the Black and Caspian Seas. The exercise involves about 80,000 personnel, including officers from the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Russian National Guard. Furthermore, this is a multinational endeavor which includes up to 1,000 servicemen from Armenia, Belarus, China, Myanmar and Pakistan. Representatives from Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka are participating as observers, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. In addition, Russia’s top brass said that roughly 250 tanks, up to 450 mechanized infantry fighting vehicles and APCs, as well as up to 200 artillery systems and multiple-launch rocket systems were set to be used in the exercise on firing grounds. About 12,900 troops are going to take part in activities in line with the 2011 Vienna Document of the Negotiations on Confidence-and Security-Building Measures.

Source: ITAR-TASS 25-09-2020

Almaz-Antey delivers third S-400 regiment this year to Defense Ministry ahead of schedule

There were no complaints as to the equipment following the commissioning trials, according to the developer.

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation JSC handed over the third S-400 Triumf missile air defense system regiment to the Ministry of Defense this year ahead of time, the company press service said Thursday.

"Within the framework of its obligations under the state defense contract, the Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation JSC handed over another (the third in year 2020) regiment set of the S-400 missile air defense systems to the Ministry of Defense ahead of time," the announcement reads.

According to the press service, the commissioning trials with target missiles took place at the Kapustin Yar proving ground. There were no complaints as to the equipment; the crews performed their task to the "A" grade. The corporation specialists accompanied the state customer’s representatives throughout the trials.

The S-400 Triumf system, developed and produced by Almaz-Antey, is designed for highly efficient protection from air strikes, cruise, tactical and operational ballistic missiles, as well as intermediate-range missiles in radio jamming environment.

Source: ITAR-TASS 24-09-2020

Su-30 fighter that crashed in Russia on Tuesday may have been hit during drills — source

The Su-30 fighter crashed in Russia’s Tver Region during a planned training flight on Tuesday.

TVER, September 23. /TASS/. A Su-30 fighter that crashed in Russia’s Tver Region on Tuesday may have been accidentally hit by another plane during military exercises, a source in the region’s emergency services informed TASS on Wednesday.

"According to preliminary data, the Su-30 was accidentally hit during the drills by another aircraft," the source said.

The Su-30 fighter crashed in Russia’s Tver Region during a planned training flight, the crew was forced to eject, the press service of the Western Military District informed on Tuesday, adding that the crew is in a satisfactory condition.

Su-30 is a multirole 4++ generation fighter jet for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

Source: ITAR-TASS 23-09-2020

Su-30 fighter crashes in Russia’s Tver Region

The crew has safely ejected.

MOSCOW, September 22 /TASS/. A Su-30 fighter has crashed in Russia’s Tver Region during a planned training flight, the crew was forced to eject, the press service of the Western Military District informed.

"On September 22, a Su-30 jet of the Western Military District crashed during a planned training flight in the Tver Region. The crew has safely ejected. After landing, the pilots made contact," the message informs. The crew members have been evacuated to their air base. The press service that the jet had crashed in the forest area, there is no damage on the ground.

Su-30 is a multirole 4++ generation fighter jet for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.

Source: ITAR-TASS 22-09-2020 

Russian Supreme Court abolishes opposition figure Alexey Navalny’s political party

 One year ago, the Ministry of Justice denied registration for the Russia of the Future political party, arguing that this name was already in use by another political organization.

MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation abolished the Russia of the Future political party, founded by blogger Alexey Navalny, the court told TASS Monday.

"The Court has satisfied the Ministry of Justice’s request on abolishment of the Russia of the Future political party," the court press service said.

One year ago, the Ministry of Justice denied registration for the Russia of the Future political party, arguing that this name was already in use by another political organization.

Source: ITAR-TASS 21-09-2020

Russia plans to send mission to Venus

 Projects of Venus missions are included in the united government program of Russia’s space exploration for 2021-2030.

MOSCOW, September 15. /TASS/. Russia plans to send its own mission to Venus in addition to the planned joint mission with the USA "Venera-D," head of Russian space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin told reporters on Tuesday during the HeliRussia-2020 exhibition.

"Resuming Venus exploration is on our agenda. Firstly, we have the "Venera-D" project in cooperation with the Americans. We are also considering our own mission to Venus. We think that Venus is a Russian planet, so we shouldn’t lag behind. Projects of Venus missions are included in the united government program of Russia’s space exploration for 2021-2030," he said.

Scientific Director of the Russian Space Research Institute Lev Zeleny told TASS in May that Russia would develop a new Venus exploration program, which would include sending at least three research vehicles to the planet.

The researcher said that the first expedition within the program will be the "Venera-D" planned for late 2020s. The project will form part of the government space program. The previous comprehensive program for the study of Venus was implemented in the USSR.

Source: ITAR-TASS 20-09-2020

Population of Russia down by 316,000 people in January-July 2020 — statistics

 A total of 811,700 people were born and about 1,128,000 people died in January-July 2020.

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The population of Russia declined by about 316,300 people in January-July 2020, which is 106,600 people more than during the same period last year, according to data published by Russian State Statistics Service (Rosstat) on Friday.

According to the agency, the population of Russia declined by 209,700 people in the first seven months of 2019.

A total of 811,700 people were born and about 1,128,000 people died in January-July 2020.

Overall, the nationwide number of deaths was 1.4 times higher than the number of births in January-July 2020. Last year, it was 1.2 times higher in the same period.

Source: ITAR-TASS 19-09-2020

Belarus tightens border security

The country's president Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that the country would close its borders with Lithuania and Poland and strengthen border control with Ukraine.

MINSK, September 18. /TASS/. Belarusian border services have tightened border security, spokesman for the country’s State Border Committee, Anton Bychkovsky told TASS on Friday.

"Border security has been tightened, the necessary measures are being taken depending on the situation in specific regions," he said.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that the country would close its borders with Lithuania and Poland and strengthen border control with Ukraine. He called on the people of the three countries to prevent their politicians from starting "a hot war."

Source: ITAR-TASS 18-09-2020

Special Operations troops conduct live firing at Russian-Belarusian joint military drills

The drills are currently in its first stage.

MINSK, September 17. /TASS/. Servicemen participating in the "Slavic Brotherhood 2020" military drills near Belarus’s Brest performed a number of firing tasks during the initial stage of the exercise, Belarusian Defense Ministry announced Thursday.

"The airborne troops of both countries crossed a water obstacle and performed a number of firing tasks using D-30 howitzers, guided anti-tank missiles and mortars. Russian Guardsmen supported their Belarusian colleagues with 2S-9 Nona-S 120mm self-propelled artillery," the ministry disclosed.

The drills involve servicemen of the 38th Brest Guards airborne brigade of the Belarusian special operations forces and the Russian airborne troops from the 76th Guards airborne division. The drills are currently in its first stage. The second stage will take place in late September.

Source: ITAR-TASS 17-09-2020

Lukashenko says he has no intention to cede power

The incumbent president reiterated that the change of power in the country might take place not under the pressure of street protests, but in accordance with the law.

MINSK, September 10. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that he has no intention of ceding power and will not let it 'lie in the mud'.

"I would like to tell you in a manly way, so as not to leave a word unspoken. I’m often reproached: "He will not cede power." This is correct. That’s not what the people elected me for. <...> Power is given not to be abandoned or given away. In the mid-1990s it lay in the mud. Some wiped their feet on it. And on you, those in the law enforcement. Many of you remember this period. I do not want Belarus to get back to those days. Nobody will dare throw mud at the authorities, contrary to what they demand," the BelTA new agency quotes Lukashenko as saying at a ceremony where he introduced the country’s new prosecutor general, Andrei Shved, to his subordinates.

He reiterated that the change of power in the country might take place not under the pressure of street protests, but in accordance with the law.

"If you think that I’m holding onto power, with my hands blue with strain, for my own sake, you will strongly disappoint me. <...> Sooner or later others will take this power, but they will do so in accordance with the law, and not under pressure from street demonstrations," Lukashenko said.

In Belarus’ August 9 presidential election Lukashenko emerged the winner with 80.1% of the vote. The runner-up, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who received 10.12%, did not recognize the election returns. Right after the election returns were made public several Belarusian cities saw mass protests. During the first days there were clashes with police. The opposition’s Coordination Council has been calling for further protests. The authorities say illegal demonstrations must be brought to an end.

Source: ITAR-TASS 10-09-2020

Russian, Serbian military to arrive in Belarus for military drills on September 10-15

Servicemen from Belarus, Russia and Serbia will practice joint actions on fighting terrorism, according to the Belarusian top brass.

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Participants in the joint Russian-Serbian-Belarusian Slavic Brotherhood 2020 military exercise will arrive in Belarus between September 10 and September 15, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced in its Telegram channel Tuesday.

"The Slavic Brotherhood 2020 multinational Belarusian-Russian-Serbian military drills will take place at the Brestsky proving ground of the 38th Airborne Brigade," the ministry said. "The participants’ arrival is planned for September 10 to September 15."

The drills will be led by a Belarusian Special Forces representative. Servicemen from Belarus, Russia and Serbia will practice joint actions on fighting terrorism, the ministry noted.

On September 2, Chiefs of General Staff of Russia and Belarus Valery Gerasimov and Alexander Volfovich discussed bilateral military cooperation and preparation for the Slavic Brotherhood 2020 drills in Belarus and the Caucasus 2020 strategic drills which will take place in Russia.

The Slavic Brotherhood drills took place in trilateral format for the first time in Russia in 2015. In November 2016, Serbia hosted them, and Belarus did in 2017. In 2018, the drills once again took place in Russia.

Source: ITAR-TASS 08-09-2020

Eight Russian jets scramble to intercept three US bombers over Black Sea

The National Defense Control Center pointed out that after the US aircraft had flown away from the border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter jets returned to home airbases.

MOSCOW, September 4. /TASS/. Eight Russian fighter jets of the Southern Military District have been scrambled to intercept three US strategic bombers over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center told reporters on Friday.

According to the center, on September 4 russian radars detected three B-52N strategic bombers of the US Air Force that were approaching Russia’s sovereign airspace.

"Four Su-27 fighter jets and four Su-30 fighter jets of the Southern Military District’s air defense units on duty were scrambled to intercept the US Air Force aircraft over the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, with the aim to prevent their unauthorized incursion into the Russian airspace," the center said.

The National Defense Control Center pointed out that after the US aircraft had flown away from the border of the Russian Federation, the Russian fighter jets returned to home airbases.

"All the flights of the Russian fighter jets took place in strict accordance with international airspace rules. The US aircraft were not allowed to illegally cross the state border of the Russian Federation," the ministry added.

Source: ITAR-TASS 05-09-2020