In the Lipetsk region, the crews of the operational and tactical aviation of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) have worked out day and night flights with refueling in the air.

The flight personnel of the Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters, Su-34 and Su-24M bombers performed the most difficult element of flight training singly and as part of pairs.

Refueling in the air took place at altitudes of 5-6 thousand meters at a speed of about 600 kilometers per hour at a distance of less than 20 meters between attack aircraft and Il-78 air tankers.

At night, refueling was performed using additional lighting installed both on the tanker aircraft and on the refueling aircraft.

Refueling in the air is a necessary element of training pilots of fighter and bomber aircraft, which allows to significantly increase the combat range of the VKS strike aircraft and perform tasks for their intended purpose at a great distance from their bases.