[Photo] Russian Su-27 Flanker combat planes armed with Live missiles in Belarus

The six Su-27 warplanes Russia deployed to Belarus to “counter massing of forces on the border” carry live missiles.

Russia has deployed six Russian Sukhoi-27 Flankers and three support transport planes to Bobruisk airfield in eastern Belarus, followingPresident Aleksandr Lukashenko’s request for help against potential NATO threat.

The Su-27s were spotted carrying live missiles: Russia’s standard peacetime QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) configuration, similar to that of many other air arms around the world.

The deployment is said to be a response to NATO, that is deploying U.S. F-16 to Poland, and E-3 AWACS to Poland and Romania, in anticipation of the referendum on Mar. 16 that will decide whether Crimea will join Russia.

Image credit: via @Missilito

 

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About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.