Moscow - An aviation division is being formed within the Fourth Air Force and Air Defense Command of the Southern Military District and its units will be stationed in Crimea, a source in the Russian Armed Forces General Staff told Interfax-AVN on Nov. 13.
“The 27th combined aviation division is being formed with its headquarters in Belbek,” he said.
“When applied to aviation formations, the word ‘combined’ means that the division will include squadrons of fighter, attack, reconnaissance and transport aircraft, frontline bombers and helicopter units,” the source added.
A Russian Air Force aviation regiment was stationed on the Belbek airfield until recently.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday, Nov. 12 that a full-scale and self-sufficient multiservice force would be deployed on the Crimean Peninsula.
“An analysis of the possible developments of the events dictates the need to support the troops of the Southern Military district in their readiness to ensure the military security of the country and its allies on the southwestern strategic track. In this situation, the priorities include the formation of a full-fledged and self-sufficient multi-service group of troops on the Crimean Peninsula,” Shoigu said.
