(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In an unexpected move, Russia has been detected placing four high-altitude fighter aircraft, MiG-31s, at the Belbek airbase located in the occupied territory of Crimea.
While the strategic airbase houses Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets, what has drawn the attention of regional military observers is the presence of MiG-31 aircraft.
Satellite images show that the Russian Air Force began positioning the MiG-31 fighter jets before October 15th.
Ukraine is concerned about the presence of MiG-31 aircraft because of their capability to carry the hypersonic guided missile “Kinzhal,” which can travel at speeds up to Mach 10 after being launched from the aircraft.
In addition to their hypersonic speed, “Kinzhal” missiles, which can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads, have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.
The Ukrainian military is concerned that MiG-31 aircraft equipped with hypersonic “Kinzhal” missiles might be used to target storage facilities for cruise missiles like “Storm Shadow,” “SCALP-EG,” and HIMARS, particularly those armed with tactical guided missiles such as ATACMS.
A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that MiG-31 fighter jets would be equipped with hypersonic guided missiles “Kinzhal” during patrols in the Black Sea.
He stated, “This is not a threat… Based on my instructions, the Russian Air Force will commence patrols in the neutral zone in the Black Sea airspace, and the MiG-31 aircraft will be equipped with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles,” as quoted by the Interfax news agency.
He made this statement while attending the Belt and Road Forum in China.
Although the MiG-31 aircraft capable of carrying hypersonic “Kinzhal” missiles are stationed in Crimea, their deployment is likely a response to events occurring in the Middle East at the time.
Therefore, Russia announced the deployment of MiG-31 aircraft to the Black Sea as tensions escalated in the Middle East.
This decision was made as the United States deployed two aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the eastern Mediterranean as conflicts between Israel and Hamas, as well as Hezbollah, were intensifying.
Hypersonic guided missiles like “Kinzhal” are difficult to detect by radar and are designed to target both naval and ground-based assets.
International military observers believe that with their ability to target both land and sea targets up to 2,000 kilometers away, MiG-31 aircraft armed with “Kinzhal” missiles can pose a threat to critical targets in the eastern Mediterranean, such as the two U.S. aircraft carriers.
Russia’s actions are seen by some as an indirect warning to the United States and its allies who are perceived to be trying to get directly involved in the conflict in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel. — DSA
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