 New Russian air units to face NATO in the west. The Russian Defence Ministry has plans to deploy a new air army to counter NATO, according to Izvestia's sources in the ministry. It will be formed in the western strategic direction as part of either the Moscow Military District or the Leningrad District. It is expected to include several jet fighter regiments, bomber regiments, an Army Aviation Brigade, air defence forces and radio engineering personnel. According to experts, reinforcing the country's western frontiers has become particularly crucial in light of the ascension of Finland and, in the near future, Sweden to NATO. Hostilities are now taking place in the west. Additionally, the admission of Finland and Sweden to membership in NATO plays a role. They were neutral, but now we should have our designated grouping of forces. Accordingly, there will be NATO bases in these countries and our armed forces will be stationed opposite to them, including aircraft. Establishing a designated army is the correct decision here. The process should have started last year. The only concern is where they will acquire so many planes and, more critically, trained pilots. Measures should have been taken long ago to open more flight schools and train more personnel. Former 4th Air Force and Air Defence Army Commander Valerij Gobenko told Izvestia. This is not the first move in recent years by the Defence Ministry to bolster the air power component of forces in the western strategic direction. Ground assault aviation units equipped with Sukhoi Su-25, Gratch attack aircraft, part of the Su-25 family are expected to appear here this year.