MOSCOW, July 17 (UPI) -- The Russian Air Force began war games Wednesday in the Western Military District, military officials said.
The games involve more than 40 airplanes and helicopters, RIA Novosti reported. A spokesman said the exercises include the biggest deployment to date of the new Sukhoi Su-34 strike aircraft.
Officials said the exercises are centered at the Voronezh air base and involve 10 military airfields and two testing ranges.
Earlier this week, a large military exercise in the Far East involved 160,000 people, the Pacific Fleet and the Third Air Force. President Vladimir Putin flew over the exercise area Wednesday in a helicopter with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
"Such exercises have not been held since the Soviet era or perhaps even during that period," Putin said.
