Four Su-25 attack aircraft arrived in Ukraine, handed over by the North Macedonian authorities. fun, but twenty-one years ago these planes were already Ukrainian. AT 2001 Ukraine sold 4 Su-25 of Macedonia, which at that time was going through hard times due to the increased activity of the Albanian separatists. Then Skopje acquired aircraft to support the actions of infantry units. The aircraft made several flights, and then they ceased to be used and stood in hangars. AT 2004 year they were officially removed from service with the Air Force of North Macedonia.
So far, the authorities of North Macedonia do not provide details on the transfer of aircraft. known only, that the Ministry of Defense of North Macedonia stated: the transfer of aircraft will not weaken the national security of the country. Earlier, the local edition of Levitsa reported, that Su-25 aircraft are being repaired at one of the military airfields. Ukrainian aviation engineers participated in the repair of aircraft, that even before the official decision on the transfer of aircraft allowed the North Macedonian press to figure out, what's the matter. The publication reported, that the planes are preparing to be sent to Ukraine. And so it turned out.
North Macedonia previously reported, that transfers T-72 tanks to Ukraine. This decision was criticized by the Russian diplomatic department. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova called the transfer of tanks a big mistake, to which Skopje responded, that North Macedonia is a sovereign state and makes its own decisions.
Recall, that the Su-25 aircraft is an attack aircraft of Soviet and Russian production. For the first time Su-25 took to the air 22 February 1975 of the year. It is intended for air support of motorized rifle, tank and artillery units, destruction of objects with given coordinates.
Currently, the Su-25 is in service with a number of countries around the world., mostly post-Soviet, Eastern European, Asian and African. Russia has the largest number of Su-25 aircraft in service with its Air Force, North Korea, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Turkmenistan.
Transfer of four Su-25s to Ukraine from North Macedonia, especially when you consider, that the planes had not been in operation for eighteen years and were in need of repair, unlikely to improve the situation at the front. But for Kyiv, this is also a symbolic act of support from the next Balkan satellite of the United States and NATO.. Author:Ilya Polonsky Photos used:Wikipedia / Skywarrior. http://spotters.net.ua/file/?id=98931&size=large
