

Moscow, April 30 (QNA) – A newly formed Russian army helicopter brigade has begun training flights in the northwest of the country near the borders with the Baltic states, reported Russia’s news agency (RIA Novosti).







"Helicopters of the army aviation brigade of the Western Military District, based in the Pskov region, have begun regular training flights in the skies over northwestern Russia," spokesman for the Western Military District Col. Oleg Kochetkov said.







Kochetkov said the flights involve dozens of Mi-28N Night Hunter and Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters as well as Mi-8MTV-5 and Mi-26T combat transport helicopters.







Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu earlier announced the beginning of military drills of units from the Southern and Western military districts near the borders with Ukraine and the Baltic states in response to an "unprecedented" increase of NATO military activity near Russia amid the Ukrainian crisis. (QNA)







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QNA 2006 GMT 2014/04/30







