Russia Conducts Tactical Fighter Jet Drills over Baltic Sea

Russian warplanes. Reuters file photo
Russian warplanes. Reuters file photo
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Russia Conducts Tactical Fighter Jet Drills over Baltic Sea

Russian warplanes. Reuters file photo
Russian warplanes. Reuters file photo

Russia's defense ministry said early on Tuesday that it was conducting tactical fighter jet exercises over the Baltic Sea with the main goal of testing readiness to perform combat and special tasks operations.

"The crews of the Su-27 (fighter jets) of the Baltic Fleet fired from airborne weapons at cruise missiles and mock enemy aircraft," the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

"The main goal of the exercise is to test the readiness of the flight crew to perform combat and special tasks as intended."

The ministry said that in addition to improving skills, the fighter jets crews are on "round-the-clock combat duty" guarding the air space of Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.



US Carriers Delta, United to Suspend Flights to Tel Aviv

A United Airlines passenger jet taxis at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, US December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A United Airlines passenger jet taxis at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, US December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
TT

US Carriers Delta, United to Suspend Flights to Tel Aviv

A United Airlines passenger jet taxis at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, US December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A United Airlines passenger jet taxis at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, US December 6, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

US legacy carriers United Airlines and Delta Air said on Wednesday they will suspend their flights to Tel Aviv, Israel due to security concerns, Reuters reported.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation and will make decisions on resuming service with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews," United Airlines said.

Delta Airlines also said it will pause flights between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv through Aug. 2.