The Russian Knights, the iconic aerobatics team flying military aircraft, have made an appearance at the MAKS 2021 international air show, performing stunts that appear to defy physics, in their Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jets.
The aerobatics team, which marked its 30th anniversary earlier this year, took part in the biennial air show, which is taking place outside Moscow until July 25.
The Knights flew six Su-35S fighter jets in an extremely tight formation – with only a few feet separating each 25-ton aircraft – while the spectators cheered their performance.
The team flies regular, military-grade machines that had not undergone any specific modifications for aerobatics use, with only bright liveries in the colors of the Russian flag distinguishing them from the Air Force jets.
The Su-35S aircraft used by the team is a modern, heavily upgraded cousin of the iconic Su-27, which has been the workhorse of Russian frontline fighter aviation for decades.
Also on rt.com Weapon of the future, today: Russia unveils ‘Checkmate’, new 5th-generation lightweight stealth fighter, unmanned version in worksThink your friends would be interested? Share this story!