11.07.2003 07:51
UKRAINE READY TO GIVE "NYTKA" TRAINING FIELD FOR RUSSIAN PILOT EXERCISES IF RUSSIA PAYS FOR ITS PREVIOUS USE

Ukraine is ready to give its military training field "Nytka" in Crimea for exercises of Russian military off-deck pilots after Russia pays in full for its previous use. Its debt makes nearly $300,000. Spokesman for the Defense Ministry Kostiantyn Khyvrenko disclosed this, commenting on the situation when off-deck pilots of the Northern Fleet, being in a close proximity with the Ukrainian border, cannot get to Nytka in order to start training. He reminded for several years the Ukrainian side granted this training field belonging to the Ukrainian Air Force to Russian off-deck pilots. Russian pilots planned to start training in early July so as to finish them in a 30-day term. They are to practice the mechanism of landing-take off. The naval fighter aviation squadron of the Northern Fleet includes over 30 pilots, 7 fighters and 5 Su-25 and a training connection plane.