Su-57 Stealth Jet, 54 other Aircraft in Russian Victory Day Fly Past

Russia plans to showcase 55 aircraft including four Su-57 stealth jets and MiG-31 fighters carrying Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, besides 20 helicopters during the Victory Day Parade fly past in the Red Square on May 9.

"The aerial display of the parade will involve 75 aircraft in total: 55 planes and 20 helicopters. It includes 4 Kinzhal systems and 4 Su-57s," a military source was quoted as saying by TASS on Tuesday.

The other aircraft that will be part of the flying displays are: Beriev A-50 early warning and control aircraft, Il-76 transport planes, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers, Tu-22M3 long-range strategic and maritime strike bombers, combat jets- Su-24, Su-34, MiG-29, Su-30, Su-35S, helicopters- Mi-26, Mi-8, Ka-52, Mi-35 and Mi-28N.

“A Tu-160 plane and an Il-78 tanker will simulate aerial refueling during the parade,” the source added.

Although the event is most likely to be unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kremlin will take the final call after studying the coronavirus situation.

“There has been no decisions to change the plans for the 75th V-Day parade in Moscow in view of the coronavirus risks. A final decision whether to hold the festive events has not been made yet,” Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a few days ago.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov has also said that preparations for the parade are on full swing. “No decisions to change the event date or agenda have been taken,” he said.