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Russia uses Su-34 jets to bomb river ice jams

Xinhua, April 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Russian military on Monday dispatched Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers to strike river ice blockages in Vologa and Arkhangelsk regions, authorities said.

It was the first time for the Russian Defense Ministry to use the advanced military aircraft to liquidate river ice jams, Russian media reported Tuesday.

"The pilots demonstrated accuracy. The ice blockages were partly crashed. The ice began to move," Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov was quoted as saying.

The bombing mission was launched as the river ice jams, which formed in the border area between Vologa and Arkhangelsk, had caused the biggest flooding in the area over the past 20 years, threatening thousands of local residents.

The Russian military has sent troops and assets, including two Su-34 fighter-bombers and four Mi-8 helicopters, to the affected area to help deal with the disaster.

It is unclear whether Su-34 aircraft will be employed on such missions in the future, and the Emergency Situations Ministry said the decision will be made only after the effectiveness of such bombardments is evaluated. Endi