Russian Su-35S fighters went on airspace defense combat alert and practiced intercepting aerial targets in an inspection of the Union State’s response forces on Belarusian territory, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"The crews of Russian Su-35S fighter jets of the Eastern Military District involved in an inspection of the Union State’s Response Force have gone on combat alert for airspace defense at the Baranovichi airfield (the Republic of Belarus). The crews of the Russian fighters also practiced intercepting aerial targets," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian Aerospace Force’s pilots studied the areas and routes of their flights, trained aboard aircraft and practiced interoperability with the airfield’s flight control group, the ministry said.

"Su-25 ground attack aircraft of the Republic of Belarus simulated the notional aerial enemy in the drills. After their take-offs, the quick reaction alert fighters received coordinates of the flight of aerial targets from command and air direction posts, following which they intercepted the targets," the ministry said.