Su-30 pilot tells story of escorting Putin in Syria

A Su-30 fighter pilot escorting President Putin's plane in Syria said they were ready to risk their lives to intercept enemy missiles if any were present.

Su-30 fighter. Photo: Sputnik.

"This time, the mission was to meet and escort President Vladimir Putin's plane to the runway," RT on December 16 quoted Yury, one of the Su-30SM pilots, as telling Rossiya 1 channel at the Hmeimim airbase, Syria. "We covered the presidential plane."

President Putin visited the Hmeimim base on the morning of December 11. His plane was protected by two Su-30SM fighters of the Russian Air Force operating in Syria.

According to Yury, the Su-30SM fighters flew in a state of "heat trapping" missiles that could be directed towards the aircraft.

"The temperature of the exhaust air from the Su-30SM was much higher" than that of the Il-96-300PU, Yuri recalled. "We flew at maximum power because the fighters had a different speed. We protected the presidential plane on both sides with our own hands."

A video released later showed President Putin watching the Su-30SM fighters hovering until they left. The Kremlin leader on December 14 thanked the Russian pilots for protecting the presidential plane.

"I observed the pilots. During the landing, they not only flew close to the plane, but also lowered their altitude to fly under it," Putin said. "I thank them and hope they know this."

Mr. Putin watches the Su-30SM escorting the presidential plane. Video: RT.

According to VNE