Russia to open air base in Belarus

The Commander of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Viktor Bondarev said that Russia would open an air base in Belarus. The base will be deployed in the town of Baranovichi, RIA Novosti reports.

"We have never planned to deploy an air base in Lida. It will be in Baranovichi. We are currently waiting for the adequate decision from the intergovernmental commission," said Bondarev, answering journalists' questions about the plans of the Russian Air Force in Belarus.

The general confirmed that there will be Su-27 fighter jets deployed at the base.

In the spring of 2013, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, during his visit to Minsk, announced that the Russian Federation was planning to deploy an air regiment in Belarus in 2015. It was also reported that the Russian air base of Su-27SM3 fighter aircraft would be deployed in the town of Lida, the Grodno region.