Putin on a show of strength: Russian fighter jets, bombers and helicopters fire and evade missiles in spectacular 'military Olympics' tournament

  • Aviadarts competition is designed to test flight skills and precision shooting
  • It is being held this year at Pogonovo range in Voronezh region, south of Moscow
  • Aircraft must destroy land-based targets using rockets, machine guns and cannon, and overcome anti-aircraft defence
  • Nations understood to have previously taken part include Egypt, Iran, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan and China 

By Nick Enoch for MailOnline

Published: 11:32 EST, 18 June 2017 | Updated: 11:55 EST, 18 June 2017

Russian jet fighters, missiles racing through the sky and great plumes of smoke...

Thankfully, this is not the beginning of World War Three but, rather, an aerial tournament, known as Aviadarts.

The self-styled 'military Olympics' competition is designed to test flight skills and precision shooting and is being held this year at the Pogonovo range in the Voronezh region, south of Moscow.

During the Aviadarts Tournament, aircraft must destroy land-based targets using rockets, machine guns and cannon, and overcome anti-aircraft defence.

A Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet performs at the Aviamix airshow, the opening event for the 2017 Aviadarts military aviation competition  in Russia

A Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jet performs at the Aviamix airshow, the opening event for the 2017 Aviadarts military aviation competition  in Russia

The competition is designed to test flight skills and precision shooting and is being held this year at the Pogonovo range in the Voronezh region, south of Moscow. Above, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter of the Berkuty [Golden Eagles] aerobatic team performs in the show

The competition is designed to test flight skills and precision shooting and is being held this year at the Pogonovo range in the Voronezh region, south of Moscow. Above, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter of the Berkuty [Golden Eagles] aerobatic team performs in the show

During the Aviadarts Tournament, aviation must destroy land-based targets using rockets, machine guns and cannon, and overcome anti-aircraft defence. Pictured, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter lands a Tigr [Tiger] multipurpose infantry mobility vehicle

During the Aviadarts Tournament, aviation must destroy land-based targets using rockets, machine guns and cannon, and overcome anti-aircraft defence. Pictured, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter lands a Tigr [Tiger] multipurpose infantry mobility vehicle

Featuring 60 crews of planes and combat helicopters, it takes place from June 14 to 27 - and these images show them performing during the Aviamix airshow, the opening event of the tournament

Featuring 60 crews of planes and combat helicopters, it takes place from June 14 to 27 - and these images show them performing during the Aviamix airshow, the opening event of the tournament

Aviadarts is one of the most spectacular competitions of the 'International Military Games', the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement

Aviadarts is one of the most spectacular competitions of the 'International Military Games', the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement

Featuring 60 crews of planes and combat helicopters, it takes place from June 14 to 27 - and these images show them performing during the Aviamix airshow, the opening event of the tournament.

The aircraft can be seen showing off their accuracy and aerobatics as they soar in perfect symmetry.

As well as fighter jets, other military hardware taking part include heavy-lift cargo helicopters from the Berkuty [Golden Eagles] aerobatic team and strategic bombers.

Aviadarts is one of the most spectacular competitions of the 'International Military Games', the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement, according to Sputnik News.    

The national leg of the annual competition was first held in Russia in 2013. 

Among the other nations understood to have competed in the past at Aviadarts are Kazakhstan, China, Egypt, Iran, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kuwait and Mongolia.   

Servicemen in a Tiger multipurpose infantry mobility vehicle let rip some firepower during the competition

Servicemen in a Tiger multipurpose infantry mobility vehicle let rip some firepower during the competition

The aircraft can be seen showing off their accuracy and aerobatics as they soar in perfect symmetry. Pictured, Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets release FAB-250 high explosive bombs

The aircraft can be seen showing off their accuracy and aerobatics as they soar in perfect symmetry. Pictured, Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets release FAB-250 high explosive bombs

The national leg of the annual competition was first held in Russia in 2013. Above, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter of the Berkuty aerobatic team

The national leg of the annual competition was first held in Russia in 2013. Above, a Mil Mi-26N heavy lift cargo helicopter of the Berkuty aerobatic team

Servicemen take pictures of the air action. Among the other nations understood to have competed in the past at Aviadarts are Kazakhstan, China, Egypt, Iran, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kuwait and Mongolia

Servicemen take pictures of the air action. Among the other nations understood to have competed in the past at Aviadarts are Kazakhstan, China, Egypt, Iran, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, Kuwait and Mongolia

Want to see a really good acrobatic display? Britain's Red Arrows put on a show in the skies above Silverstone, Northampton

Want to see a really good acrobatic display? Britain's Red Arrows put on a show in the skies above Silverstone, Northampton

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