Army General Vladimir Mikhailov confirmed June 27 the readiness of the Russian Air Force to conduct anti-terrorist operations beyond Russia's borders.
"If we come to know the bandits' coordinates, even somewhere outside Russian territory, why not make use of it. We, the military, are needed not only to mollify and persuade. The Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff have already said that", V. Mikhailov told a press conference.
As an example of accomplishing combat training missions outside Russia's borders, he cited the "Border-2005" exercises, when aircraft from a Russian base in Kirghizia had flown to an area on the Afghan border and hit conditional targets that imitated bandit formations.
Air Force Chief Commander also refuted the repeated accusations, made by Georgian leadership, of Russian aircraft violating Georgian air space.
"We fly over our own territory, sometimes we take pictures, sometimes just watch", said Gen. Mikhailov. "The bandits may go out on the prowl at any time, and we have to take timely notice of it ".
"If we come to know the bandits' coordinates, even somewhere outside Russian territory, why not make use of it. We, the military, are needed not only to mollify and persuade. The Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff have already said that", V. Mikhailov told a press conference.
As an example of accomplishing combat training missions outside Russia's borders, he cited the "Border-2005" exercises, when aircraft from a Russian base in Kirghizia had flown to an area on the Afghan border and hit conditional targets that imitated bandit formations.
Air Force Chief Commander also refuted the repeated accusations, made by Georgian leadership, of Russian aircraft violating Georgian air space.
"We fly over our own territory, sometimes we take pictures, sometimes just watch", said Gen. Mikhailov. "The bandits may go out on the prowl at any time, and we have to take timely notice of it ".
