Russian A-50U early warning aircraft to control radar situation over Black Sea.

A-50U early warning and control aircraft (AEW) of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have flown to an operational airfield in the Krasnodar Territory, the Southern Military District (YuVO) said.

An A-50U early warning aircraft (Picture Source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

"After refuelling the aircraft began to control the radar situation over the Black Sea coasts of the Crimea and the Kuban region in the border area of the Russian Federation," YuVO said.

Su-27SM3 fighter jets of the Air and Air Defense Forces army of the Southern Military District are escorting A-50U aircraft when they are flying over the Black Sea neutral waters. VKS aircraft are making flights in connection with large-scale NATO exercises, which are taking place in the territories of a number of Black Sea states in Eastern Europe.

The use of early warning and control aircraft will make it possible to avert possible incidents with civilian ships and planes, which can accidentally find themselves in a training area of the NATO countries’ armed forces.

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