Russian planes won't fly at French airshow

Russian planes will not participate in the airshow in the French skies at the festivities honouring an anniversary of the Normandy-Neman air regiment, said Alexander Drobyshevski, aide to the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force.

The decision has been taken "in view of possible incidents with French judicial and executive bodies on suits from the Swiss firm Noga", he said. This firm is known for bringing ungrounded actions.

Initially, a delegation of 70 led by Vladimir Mikhailov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, and an aircraft group of an Il-76 and four Su-27 was expected to participate in the festivities.

The command of the Russian Air Force has decided to send a delegation of WWII veterans by a passenger trip and is now looking for funds, said Drobyshevski.

Pilots of the famed French fighter regiment Normandy-Neman fought against German fascists on the Soviet-German front in 1943-1945. This regiment fought in forcing the Neman river, for which it was named after it. They made over 5,000 combat sorties, had 869 air combats, downed 273 and disabled 50 Nazy planes.